Rumours of an attempted push-in involving a man in the Mathabhanga River along the Pragpur border sparked panic among local residents in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila.
The incident occurred between 7pm and 8pm on Monday in the middle of the river near the Joypur area along the Pragpur border.
According to locals, members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) brought a man into the river in the evening. Sensing a possible push-in attempt, residents gathered along the riverbank and protested, prompting the BSF to take the man back.
Later, residents noticed 10 to 12 people gathering on the opposite bank, raising fears that they might be sent into Bangladesh. The possibility triggered anxiety among locals.
Local resident Rakib Hasan said that when the BSF brought a man into the river, residents protested, forcing them to take him back. However, he said locals remained concerned as people continued to gather on the other side.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), however, clarified that the incident was not a push-in attempt.
Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-47, said the man who entered the river was mentally unstable and had been swimming. He was unable to identify himself or state where he belonged.
Following a flag meeting with the BSF, it was determined that the individual was not a Bangladeshi citizen, after which the BSF took him away.
