BSF push-in attempts spark border tensions

Fresh allegations of attempted push-ins by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) have heightened tensions along the Bangladesh border, particularly in Jamalpur.

Meanwhile, political parties prepare nationwide protests against what they describe as violations of international border management norms and human rights.

Such incidents are taking place amid the four-day director general-level meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF in New Delhi, with illegal push-ins among the key issues under discussion.

Despite the talks, Bangladeshi border officials and local residents claim that attempts to force individuals into Bangladesh have continued at several frontier points.

According to BGB officials, more than 60,000 personnel have been deployed along border districts, supported by Ansar-VDP members and local residents, to prevent unauthorised entries.

In Jamalpur’s Bakshiganj upazila on Wednesday morning, tensions flared after BSF personnel allegedly attempted to force a man, believed to be around 60 years old, across the border through the Dhanua Kamalpur frontier area. Local residents and BGB members intervened, preventing the man from entering Bangladesh.

A flag meeting was subsequently held between officials of Jamalpur-35 BGB and the BSF’s Nandirchar camp. However, no resolution was reached, and the individual remained in the no-man’s-land area.
“BSF pushed the man into the zero line in the morning. We held a flag meeting, but they left without taking him back,” said Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman, commanding officer of Jamalpur-35 BGB.

“Our personnel, along with local residents, are maintaining their position at the border,” he said.
Witnesses said the situation became more tense when a BSF member allegedly threatened to “open fire” if BGB personnel did not move away from the area.
According to local accounts released in a video clip, a BGB member immediately protested, saying: “Why are you talking about shooting? You have weapons and so do we. Such remarks are unacceptable.”
Another resident who joined the border watch said: “As soon as we heard that BSF was trying to push someone into Bangladesh, we came to the border. We will not allow any foreign citizen to enter our country illegally.”
Separate push-in attempts were also reported in Dewanganj’s Rahimpur border area late Tuesday night.
Local residents claimed that three Indian vehicles carrying several people gathered near a BSF gate opposite border pillar 1080 before attempts were made to move individuals towards Bangladesh.
Parramrampur Union Parishad Chairman Selim Mia said villagers, armed with sticks, joined BGB members in resisting the move.
“When local people and BGB members advanced towards the area, the push-in attempt failed and the vehicles withdrew,” he said. “However, four individuals were again brought near the border on Wednesday morning and remain stranded close to the frontier.”
Similar alerts have been reported from other border districts, including Satkhira, where the Nil Dumur Battalion of BGB said heightened surveillance and patrols had prevented groups of men, women and children from being pushed across the border.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Shahariar Rajib, commanding officer of the 17 BGB Battalion, said: “No individual or group will be allowed to enter Bangladesh illegally. Any push-in attempt that violates international border management principles and existing bilateral understandings will be firmly resisted.”
Bangladeshi officials and local stakeholders have accused Indian security forces of attempting to push individuals into Bangladesh without verification of nationality or following established repatriation procedures.
“There is no record of verification and no formal mechanism being followed before these people are brought to the border,” a border official said. “Such actions violate international law, border protocols and basic human rights.”
Meanwhile, the continued push-in incidents have also triggered political reactions. The 11-party alliance announced nationwide demonstrations on 12 June across border districts and strategic frontier points, followed by a protest rally in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on 15 June.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital, the alliance’s liaison committee coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said: “If the people had not stood united with the BGB, India would already have pushed many of its citizens into Bangladesh.”
He alleged that more than 2,400 people had been subjected to push-in attempts over the past three months and called on the government to take a stronger diplomatic stance.
The opposition leader further claimed that ongoing push-in attempts contradicted India’s stated desire for improved relations with Bangladesh.
As the BGB-BSF talks near their conclusion on Thursday, observers say the continued reports of attempted push-ins on the ground risk overshadowing diplomatic efforts to address one of the most contentious issues currently affecting border relations between the two neighbours.
Even State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam recently told the media that the government has sent at least 12 letters to India to stop illegal push-ins. However, no reply was found so far.