Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel blocked several attempted push-ins along the Bangladesh-India border in the northern districts of Chapainawabganj, Lalmonirhat and Panchagarh, leaving dozens of people stranded at or near the zero line.
In Lalmonirhat, an alleged attempt by BSF to push 33 individuals into Bangladesh through three separate border points was foiled by BGB units at around 5:00am today.
Lt Col Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of the BGB-15 Lalmonirhat Battalion, said all individuals were stopped at the zero line.
He added that the border remains under close watch and BGB is on high alert, with ongoing communication with the BSF regarding the incident.
According to the BGB media cell, 11 individuals were first seen being pushed towards Bangladesh through the Barakhata Border Outpost area under the BGB-61 Teesta Battalion. Around the same time, 10 more individuals were reportedly being pushed in through the Paishattibari BOP area.
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In Lalmonirhat, an alleged attempt by BSF to push 33 individuals into Bangladesh through three separate border points was foiled by BGB units at around 5:00am on 5 June. Photo: Star
BGB patrol teams moved quickly to both locations after receiving information and took control of the situation. The individuals were stopped at the border and remained on the Indian side. Patrols and surveillance in the area have since been increased.
At a nearby stretch of the border, patrol teams from Durgapur and Dighaltari BOPs under the BGB-15 Lalmonirhat Battalion spotted another group of 12 people near border pillars 925 and 927 on the Indian side. BGB personnel used loudspeakers to warn them, after which they did not attempt to cross into Bangladesh.
Officials said the individuals are now staying inside Indian territory, BGB is in communication with the BSF-3 Battalion to verify their identities.
In the Barabari-Pradhanpara border in Panchagarh, BSF reportedly tried to push 10 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh this morning, BGB said.
Lt Col Md Sirajul Islam, commanding officer of Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion, said BSF claimed the individuals are Bangladeshi nationals, but their identities have not yet been verified by BGB.
Until confirmed, they will not be allowed to enter Bangladesh, the BGB official further said, adding that international rules do not allow one country to force people into another country.
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Personnel from both BGB and BSF took positions on their respective sides of the border during the situation.
The group includes five men, two women and three children, according to BGB. They remained stuck in the no-man’s land between the two countries.
A flag meeting was later held between the company commanders of BGB’s Barabari camp and BSF’s Sakati camp. It took place on the zero line between 10:00am and 12:00pm.
However, the meeting ended without any solution.
BGB is maintaining strict patrols and surveillance along the border to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, 28 people have remained stranded near the zero line at the Bangabari border in Gomostapur upazila of Chapainawabganj after a similar push-in attempt by the BSF was foiled by the BGB, reports UNB.
Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of BGB-16 Naogaon Battalion, said BSF personnel attempted to push the 28 individuals into Bangladesh through border pillar 203/6-S around 3:00am Thursday.
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Photo: Star
The group consists of 12 men, 10 women and six children, he said.
BGB patrol teams from Bangabari Border Outpost resisted the attempt, after which the individuals remained stranded along the zero line.
Sources said a flag meeting was held yesterday afternoon at company commander level, followed by a battalion commander-level meeting between the BGB and BSF.
Initially, the BSF denied the push-in attempt during the meeting. However, it later acknowledged the incident at the battalion commander-level discussion. BSF had informed the meeting that the matter would be reported to its higher authorities, and a decision would be conveyed to the BGB following instructions.
However, no further communication had been received from the BSF as of this morning.
The BGB official added that the stranded individuals are currently staying around 50 yards inside Indian territory near the zero line.
Our correspondents from Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon contributed to this report.
