BGB foils fresh BSF push-in bid

A recent surge in alleged push-in attempts by India’s border force has heightened tensions along the Bangladesh-India frontier, with Bangladeshi authorities and experts expressing concern over what they describe as repeated violations of established border management procedures and international norms.

Bangladesh has consistently maintained that the repatriation of any individual must be conducted through formal diplomatic channels, including prior verification of nationality and coordination between the authorities of both countries.

However, recent incidents along several border points suggest that these procedures are increasingly being bypassed.

Officials and analysts have observed a rise in push-in attempts in recent months, particularly following the change of government in the Indian state of West Bengal.

The trend has sparked concern in Dhaka over adherence to long-standing bilateral mechanisms governing border management and the handling of undocumented persons.

Md Kamal Uddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Professor of International Relations at the University of Chittagong told the New Nation that such actions run contrary to accepted international practices.

“It is violating international norms and principles,” he said, “If there are individuals who are indeed Bangladeshi citizens, their identity must be properly verified and they should be returned through diplomatic channels—not through force,” he added.

Echoing similar concerns, Amena Mohsin, former professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, said international law provides clear procedures for the return of undocumented individuals.

“If any individual is found to be residing illegally in a country, there is a defined international protocol for repatriation,” she said.

Md Rabiul Islam, Professor of Law and Justice at Jahangirnagar University, argued that arbitrary push-ins undermine both human rights and international legal obligations.

“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,” he said.

He added that undocumented migrants could not simply be forced across a border without due process.

“If someone is persecuted or migrates due to pull factors and becomes undocumented in another country, they cannot simply be pushed back.

Doing so would infringe on that individual’s rights. Any such process must be handled through proper legal channels,” he said.

The latest incidents occurred on Friday when Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) foiled several alleged push-in attempts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh and Chapainawabganj districts.

In Lalmonirhat, BSF personnel allegedly attempted to push 33 people into Bangladesh through three separate border points.

According to BGB and local sources, 11 individuals were brought to the Barakhata Border Outpost (BOP) area in Hatibandha upazila, 10 others to the Paishattabari BOP area in Patgram, and 12 more to the Durgapur-Dighaltari border area in Aditmari.

After receiving information, BGB patrol teams rushed to the locations, intensified surveillance and, with support from local residents, prevented the individuals from crossing into Bangladesh.

The group subsequently remained near the zero line on the Indian side.

Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of BGB-15 Lalmonirhat Battalion, said all those involved were stopped before entering Bangladesh.

“We are maintaining heightened vigilance along the border and are in communication with the BSF regarding the identities of the individuals,” he said.

BGB officials also reported that another group of 12 people was seen near border pillars 925 and 927 on the Indian side. Following warnings from BGB personnel through loudspeakers, they did not attempt to cross.

In Panchagarh, BGB thwarted another alleged attempt to push 10 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh through the Barabari-Pradhanpara border area.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Sirajul Islam, commanding officer of Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion, said BSF had claimed the individuals were Bangladeshi nationals, but their identities had not yet been verified.

“Until verification is completed, they will not be allowed to enter Bangladesh.

International norms do not permit one country to force people into another country without following established procedures,” he said.

A flag meeting between local BGB and BSF commanders was later held at the zero line but ended without any breakthrough.

Meanwhile, another 28 people remained stranded near the Bangabari border in Chapainawabganj after BGB resisted what it described as a BSF push-in attempt.

The group, comprising 12 men, 10 women and six children, has reportedly remained in no-man’s land since Thursday afternoon, enduring heavy rain and facing shortages of food and shelter.

Acting chairman of Bangabari Union Parishad Md Saddam Hossain said 13 members of the group were residents of Koyra in Khulna district who had travelled to India around two years ago.

Copies of their national identity cards have reportedly been provided by local authorities from Koyra.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of Naogaon-16 BGB Battalion, said BSF personnel had attempted to push the group through the border in Gomastapur upazila.

Following resistance from BGB patrol teams, the group remained on the Indian side near the frontier.

According to BGB officials, BSF initially denied the incident during a flag meeting but later acknowledged the attempted push-in during subsequent discussions at the battalion commander level.

Border officials note that existing bilateral arrangements require nationality verification and official coordination before any individual can be repatriated.

Bangladesh authorities argue that unilateral push-in attempts not only violate these procedures but also risk undermining cooperative border management between the two neighbouring countries.

In a statement, BGB-15 Lalmonirhat Battalion said the force remained on maximum alert to prevent infiltration and unauthorised crossings.

“All necessary measures have been taken to safeguard the country’s border and sovereignty,” the statement said.

The force added that patrols and surveillance activities had been intensified along vulnerable stretches of the frontier.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the 57th Director General-level Border Conference between BGB and BSF, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 8 to 11 June, where both sides are expected to discuss recent border incidents, including the growing number of alleged push-in attempts.