Government sends 12-13 letters to India over push-ins: State Minister

Government has written to the Indian government between 12 and 13 times demanding a halt to illegal border push-ins, Foreign State Minister Shama Obaed Islam said.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (June 8), she confirmed that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is firmly repelling push-in attempts and that the government will not accept any forced transfers that bypass established legal procedures.

"BGB is firmly resisting India's pushin attempts. Push-ins that do not follow proper protocol are unacceptable," the state minister said. "There is an established process for returning undocumented individuals. India must operate within that framework."

She also cautioned that the continued practice risks damaging the bilateral relationship between the two neighbours. "This will have an impact on efforts to restore normal ties between the two countries," she warned.

In response to the escalating pushins — involving men, women, and children being forced across the frontier by India's Border Security Force (BSF) — Bangladesh has deployed large numbers of BGB personnel across borders in 26 districts. Guards are maintaining round-the-clock vigil in four rotating shifts, with local communities also assisting in border surveillance at several points.

Amid the ongoing tension, the 57th Director General-level conference between BGB and BSF commenced in New Delhi on Monday and will run through Thursday, June 11. BGB confirmed that illegal pushins, killings of Bangladeshi nationals at the border, and broader border management issues will feature prominently on the agenda — making this round of talks particularly consequential given the current climate.