Diplomatic Correspondent :
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is continuing push-in through different borders of Bangladesh without caring the human rights of the people and the international laws of borders.
At least 70 individuals were pushed into Bangladesh through two separate border points in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.
The incidents reportedly took place between Wednesday night to Thursday morning and Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) detained them, said Lt Col of 48 Battalion BGB Najmul Haque.
Sources said that 53 individuals were pushed in through the Mokampunji, Minatila and Kolairag borders of Sylhet district in the early hours of Thursday while 17 others were pushed in through Noakot border of Sunamganj.
BGB later handed them over to concerned local police stations for the next course of action.
Despite repeated requests from Bangladesh to handle such matters through formal diplomatic channels, the push-ins, including women and children, have reportedly continued unabated.
Bangladeshi authorities have confirmed that several undocumented individuals, including Rohingyas, were sent across the border without prior notice or verification.
The recent influx of push in attempts, experts said, are contrary to the mutually agreed decisions of both sides made under the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for border authorities of the two countries, 1975, the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) of 2011, and discussions at the Director General-level meetings between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF as well as international UN laws and conventions.
Experts have expressed alarm over the move, warning that such actions not only breach international laws and conventions but also threaten bilateral relations.
“Push-ins are entirely unlawful. If a country intends to return someone to their home country, it must do so through proper legal channels. Forcing individuals into Bangladesh without following due process is a clear violation,” former Director General of the BGB ALM Fazlur Rahman said.
Bangladesh, however, reiterated that it is ready to take back its citizens but stressed that such returns must follow legal procedures and be conducted with mutual consent.
Sliding of relations between the two countries have fallen in the last several months, especially following the toppling of Sheikh Hasina’s government and the formation of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus.
India, reportedly displeased with the regime change, has since offered shelter to Hasina in Delhi, despite an extradition request from Bangladesh citing multiple criminal charges against her, including culpable homicide.
Md Rabiul Islam, Professor at the Department of Law and Justice, Jahangirnagar University, told the New Nation: “No one can be arbitrarily pushed in. What India is doing clearly violates human rights and breaches 18 UN Conventions related to customary international law.”
When asked what actions Bangladesh can take, Professor Islam said: “Initially, Bangladesh should attempt to resolve the issue through diplomatic means. If India refuses to stop, the matter can be raised in international forums for violating human rights.”
