BSF pushes in 18 across Naogaon borders

Eighteen individuals, including women and children, were pushed into Bangladesh by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) through Naogaon borders early Friday morning. 

The individuals were detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from two separate points; Kalupara near border pillar 271/1-S at Dhamoirhat upazila and Bamonpara near main pillar 246/2-S at Sapahar upazila.

According to BGB sources, the detainees at Dhamoirhat include residents of Khulna, Narail and Jashore districts. 

Among them are several men who previously worked as masons in Mumbai and women who had been employed as domestic workers. 

They reportedly entered India illegally through Satkhira and Benapole borders several years ago. 

BGB officials said that early Friday, members of a patrol team from Kalupara BOP under the 14th BGB (Patnitala Battalion) spotted the group wandering inside Bangladesh, approximately 50 yards from the border, in an area known as Satana Para Mango Orchard. They were immediately detained.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, commanding officer of 14th BGB battalion, confirmed that the individuals were pushed-in by BSF personnel from Balurghat camp. 

The pushed-in reportedly followed their arrest by India’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Mumbai, after which BSF forced them across the border without notifying Bangladeshi authorities.

In a similar incident around the same time, four more individuals; women and children, were detained by BGB in Sapahar after being pushed in through Bamonpara border. 

They too had been working in domestic service in Mumbai and were recently arrested by Indian police. 

After being handed over to Chhatradhari BSF camp in West Bengal under “check-back” process, they were pushed-in across the border into Bangladesh early Friday morning.

Local police in both Dhamoirhat and Sapahar confirmed the detentions. 

Dhamoirhat Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Md. Imam Jafar, said BGB had not yet formally handed over the detainees to police, but legal measures would be taken once that process was complete. 

Meanwhile, Sapahar Police Station OC Md Abdul Aziz stated that preparations for legal proceedings regarding the detainees were already underway.

SH