An attempt by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to push an Indian woman and a child into Bangladesh through Phulbari border in Dinajpur has been foiled due to prompt action and vigilance of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents.
Currently, the woman and child are staying in the area adjacent to the zero line of the border. Commanding Officer of Phulbari 29 BGB Battalion, Lt Col Md Arifuzzaman, confirmed the matter at around 4pm on Tuesday.
According to BGB and local sources, the push-in attempt was made at around 5:30am on Tuesday through the border adjacent to Jalpaitali BGB Camp in Ward No. 3 of Eluari Union under the upazila.
They were sent from the Zakirpur area of India to a location approximately 20 yards away from Sub-pillar 5 of Main Pillar 303.
The two victims of the push-in attempt are Sultana Begum, 40, wife of Muhin Islam from Andarkot village under Darogabazar Police Station in Ajmer district, India, and her 10-year-old daughter Aleya.
Locals said that early in the morning, the BSF attempted to send the woman and child into Bangladesh, and allegations were made that they were beaten on the zero line.
Upon learning about the incident, local people informed the BGB, and when both BGB and locals prevented them from entering Bangladesh, they took position on the zero line.
Local Union Parishad (UP) Member Motiur Rahman said the woman and child possess Indian Aadhaar cards. He informed the BGB about the matter in the morning and later took position in the border’s Banahar area alongside local villagers.
Arifuzzaman said, “In the early morning, BSF attempted to push in an Indian woman and a child. However, it was foiled due to the prompt action of BGB and local people. They possess Indian Aadhaar cards and speak Hindi.”
He further added that the woman and child are currently remaining on the zero line, and a flag meeting between BGB and BSF is ongoing regarding the incident.
