BGB, Locals Foil BSF Push-In Attempts at Kurigram Border
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Tension grips the border as the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempts push-ins. Locals avoid the area unless absolutely necessary, but the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) - with help from villagers - has thwarted every attempt.
Locals reported that people are being brought to Indian border camps in trucks. As soon as night falls, attempts are made to push them in after switching off the border lights.
Jamalpur 35-BGB Battalion Commanding Officer Lt Col Hasanur Rahman confirmed the matter. He said BGB and local people have foiled BSF attempts to push over a hundred citizens into at least eight points around 10pm on 8 June along the Rowmari border in Kurigram.
Then around 1am on 9 June, simultaneous push-in attempts were made in eight Border Observation Post (BOP) areas under the Jamalpur Battalion.
In almost every instance, BSF tactically switches off the border lights and attempts the push-in by bringing people in ‘three-ton’ trucks. However, these attempts were completely foiled in the face of strict surveillance and resistance from the BGB and local border residents.
Among the points where the BSF attempted push-ins are the Datbhanga BOP border pillar, Mollarchar BOP area, Izlamari BOP area, and Khearchar BOP area. Moreover, they attempted to push people in via trucks from the Pathorerchar BOP area, Bagharchar and Satanipara BOP border areas, and Jhaudanga BOP area.
Indian police have been detaining Bengali-speaking Muslims and other residents from various regions of Assam and West Bengal, labeling them as “Bangladeshis”. The detained men, women, and children are initially kept in holding centres in various districts and are later handed over to the BSF.
Recently, BSF has gathered hundreds of people in camps and houses adjacent to the Mankarchar, Kakripara, and Sudurtila BOPs under the Mankarchar Police Station in Assam. From there, attempts are being made to push them into Bangladeshi territory through six border points when the opportunity arises.
However, due to the strict stance of the border residents and the BGB, these efforts are being repeatedly thwarted.
Amjad Hossain, a resident of the Boraibari border, said, “To stop India’s push-in, BGB and the locals have been guarding day and night for the past few days. So that not even a single person can be pushed in to this side.”
He added, “BSF first brings people to the barbed wire in trucks, then they try to push them in after turning off the lights.”
Jadurchar Union Parishad Member Nazrul Islam said that for the past few days, hundreds of people have been brought and kept at BSF camps on the Indian border to be pushed into Bangladesh. They failed in several attempts on Tuesday morning as well. For the last three days, BGB and residents have been guarding the border day and night with sticks.
Most recently, on 10 June night, a number of Indian Muslim citizens were gathered in trucks near the barbed wire fence of the Sadartila BSF camp in India, close to the Khearchar border in Rowmari Upazila.
Nazrul added that BGB, Ansar, Village Police, as well as local youths and elders, are maintaining a strong position and guarding the area.
