Staff Reporter :
In a move that violates international and bilateral agreements, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has again pushed 48 individuals into Bangladesh through the Moulvibazar border without prior diplomatic communication or adherence to formal repatriation procedures.
This ongoing practice has raised significant concerns among Bangladeshi authorities, who view it as a breach of international norms
and a threat to both humanitarian standards and border security.
Despite India’s stated desire to maintain a “positive and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh, such unilateral actions undermine mutual trust and strain diplomatic ties.
According to local law enforcement, the latest incident occurred early Thursday when 48 people were forced across the Pallathol border in Barlekha upazila, Moulvibazar district.
The detainees included 15 men, 15 women, and 18 children. Officials from the 52 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion confirmed that the individuals were intercepted while wandering through the hilly border region near Pallathol Punji.
During preliminary interrogation, the individuals admitted to having crossed into India illegally via border areas in Kurigram and Jessore districts, primarily in search of medical treatment and employment opportunities. They reported being forcibly returned by the BSF.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Commanding Officer of the 52 BGB Battalion, stated that the returnees were residents of Jessore, Bagerhat, Chapainawabganj, Barguna, Barishal, and Kurigram. Legal proceedings are currently underway following identity verification.
Data compiled by the BGB, Coast Guard, Army, and local authorities reveals that since May, Bangladesh has experienced a sharp increase in illegal cross-border pushbacks from India, with over 1,597 individuals detained between 7 May and 19 June.
Breakdown of detainees by location shows that Barlekha Upazila: 341 individuals, Kamalganj Upazila: 61, Sreemangal Upazila: 19, Kulaura Upazila: 21 and Juri Upazila: 10.
Experts warn that such night-time pushbacks, carried out without any formal notification or coordination, violate international law, including provisions under the Geneva Convention on refugees, and established Bangladesh-India border management agreements.
They emphasise that if the individuals in question are confirmed to be Bangladeshi nationals, India has a legal and moral obligation to return them through proper diplomatic channels-not through covert, unilateral action.
“The continued resort to such aggressive and opaque practices by India not only disregards its regional responsibilities but also erodes the spirit of neighbourly cooperation,” said one diplomatic analyst.
Bangladeshi border authorities have consistently raised concerns over these violations through appropriate channels.
However, without a robust and coordinated diplomatic response, the issue remains unresolved.
As the number of cross-border pushbacks continues to rise, Bangladesh’s call for adherence to international norms and bilateral agreements grows increasingly urgent.
