India pushes in 23 Bangladeshis through Panchagarh border

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 23 Bangladeshis—including men, women, and children—into Bangladesh through the Harivasha border in Panchagarh Sadar Upazila on Tuesday late night (August 12).

The group had been arrested earlier by Indian police for staying in India illegally and were handed over to the BSF, which sent them across the Barabari BOP border.

On Wednesday (August 13) morning, 18 of the returnees were intercepted at Harivasha Bazar and five at Jotbahadipara by locals, who took them to the Union Parishad. They were later handed over to the Ghagra BOP camp of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The detainees are residents of Satkhira, Jashore, Narail, and Lalmonirhat districts.

Abdullah Hill Zaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Panchagarh Sadar Police Station, said the identities of the 23 returnees are being verified, and arrangements have been made for their health checks and safe shelter.

Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Mohammad Badruddoza, commander of Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion, confirmed that the returnees have been handed over to the police and will be reunited with their families following verification.