Barlekha-Juri (Moulvibazar) Correspondent:
Despite heightened security measures along the Barlekha border in Moulvibazar, another 44 individuals, including women and children, were pushed into Bangladesh by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) through the Uttar Shahbazpur Pallatal border area. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) apprehended them and handed them over to the police on Wednesday (May 14) at 7 PM.
Earlier that morning, BSF pushed the group across the Uttar Shahbazpur Pallatal border area in Barlekha upazila. BGB apprehended them and conducted several hours of interrogation at Shahbazpur Girls High School before confirming that they were Bangladeshi citizens.
According to BGB and local sources, around 5:30 AM on Wednesday, BSF pushed 44 individuals, including 13 men, 18 women, and 13 children, into Bangladesh through the Uttar Shahbazpur Pallatal border area. Local residents noticed the movement and informed the BGB, who immediately detained the group. During initial questioning, the detainees admitted that they had illegally entered India for work but were recently detained by Indian police. They also claimed that BSF is holding more individuals on the Indian side of the border and plans to push them into Bangladesh.
Uttar Shahbazpur Union Parishad Chairman Rafique Uddin Ahmed said, “This morning, another 44 individuals were pushed into Bangladesh by BSF. Upon receiving local reports, BGB detained them. The detainees have been identified as Bangladeshi citizens.”
Lt. Col. Mehedi Hasan PPM, Commander of BGB-52 Battalion, confirmed, “We have verified the detainees’ identities and confirmed that they are Bangladeshi nationals. They have been handed over to the local police.”
Barlekha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Kashem Sarkar stated, “BGB handed over the detainees to the police at 7 PM on Wednesday. We are currently verifying their identities. Once confirmed, they will be handed over to their families following proper procedures.”
It is worth noting that on May 6 and 7, BSF pushed around 100 individuals into Bangladesh, of whom BGB detained 59. After verifying their identities, BGB handed them over to Barlekha Police Station, who later released them to their families. Following this incident, BGB tightened security measures along the Barlekha border. However, BSF managed to push another 44 individuals across the border, bypassing BGB’s surveillance.
