India’s ‘well-planned’ push-ins into Bangladesh raise concern: BGB Chief
PARBATTA NEWS DESK
India is carrying out a “well-crafted” plan to push people—including some with valid Indian documents—across the border into Bangladesh, the head of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has said.
Speaking at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui said at least five individuals recently pushed across the border were registered Rohingya refugees in India, raising concerns over potential human rights violations.
He alleged that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) had forcibly sent 202 people into Bangladesh on 7 and 8 May through sparsely populated border points in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
“Many of them are Bangladeshi-born but have been living in India for decades. Some held Indian documents such as Aadhaar cards, which were reportedly confiscated by the BSF before the pushback,” he said.
According to the BGB, those sent across include individuals who migrated to India between 20 and 25 years ago, while some had crossed more recently, about 3 to 4 years ago.
The BGB chief said the matter was being addressed through diplomatic channels, as the BSF had denied any involvement. Formal protests have been lodged through flag meetings.
“We are willing to accept Bangladeshi citizens through proper procedures—not through covert drop-offs,” Major General Siddiqui said.
He also alleged that the BSF is planning further pushbacks of around 200 to 300 individuals via the Khagrachhari border. However, increased BGB patrols have so far prevented such attempts.
Despite this, 78 people were reportedly left at Mandarbaria char, a remote area in the Sundarbans. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has since rescued them, and efforts are underway to return those confirmed to hold Indian citizenship documents.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was also present during the briefing.
