Barlekha-Juri Correspondent: India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has been illegally pushing people into Bangladesh through various border points in Barlekha Upazila of Moulvibazar district. Over the past two days, local residents have detained more than a hundred infiltrators and handed them over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The highest number of illegal infiltrations has occurred in different points of the borders in Uttar Shahbazpur and Dakshin Shahbazpur Unions of the upazila. Despite intensified patrols by the BGB to prevent illegal entry, the local population remains gripped by anxiety and fear.
Residents of the border areas in Uttar Shahbazpur Union reported that early Wednesday morning, around 5:00 am, BSF pushed in 32 men, women, and children through the border under the jurisdiction of the New Pallathal BGB camp. Due to their unfamiliar and suspicious behavior, workers of Pallathal Tea Estate detained them and handed them over to the BGB. On Thursday morning, local residents stated that BSF pushed another 23 people through the Bobarthal border. These individuals were also detained and handed over to the BGB.
The infiltrators revealed that Indian police and BSF forcibly brought them to the border and pushed them into Bangladesh. While they claimed Bangladeshi citizenship, they also stated that they had been residing in different parts of India for years. They further added that many more like them are being held by BSF on the other side of the border, awaiting a similar fate.
Multiple local sources confirmed that early Wednesday (May 7), several of the 32 people pushed in by BSF through the New Pallathal BGB camp area were later seen leaving Barlekha in ambulances from Shahbazpur Bazaar in Uttar Shahbazpur Union. Some others left in CNG auto-rickshaws. Questions have arisen in various circles regarding the identities of those illegally pushed into Bangladesh by BSF. Concerns remain whether they have been sent with any ulterior motive.
Rafiquddin Ahmed, chairman of the Uttar Shahbazpur Union Parishad, said, “Over the past two days, a significant number of people have entered Bangladesh illegally. BSF is forcing them across the border. Local residents are detaining them and handing them over to the BGB. The detainees speak Bengali, and BGB is working to verify their identities.”
Lt. Colonel Mehedi Hasan PPM, Commander of BGB-52 Battalion, stated, “Checkposts have been set up at various locations due to the incidents of illegal border crossing, and several people have been detained. Border surveillance by the BGB has been intensified. Efforts are underway to confirm the addresses of the infiltrators. After verifying their identities, appropriate measures will be taken.”
