Following a dramatic political shift in West Bengal, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has quadrupled its patrols to block a wave of forced “push-ins”– alleged attempts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to drive hundreds of Bengali-speaking individuals across the frontier.
Initially, attempts were made to gather several hundred people at the Satkhira border for a mass push-in. After failing there, the BSF has continued these attempts across various other border sectors. In response, the BGB has significantly reinforced its security measures.
Colonel Abul Hasnat Mohammad Mahmud Azam, deputy director general (media) at BGB Headquarters, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Even though the BSF regularly attempts these push-ins, the BGB stands ready to thwart them. Border patrols have been quadrupled, and unauthorised entry will not be permitted under any circumstances.”
The border crisis escalated after a BJP-led government assumed power in West Bengal in early May, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Suvendu said that individuals suspected of being Bangladeshi “infiltrators” would be detained by local law enforcement and handed over directly to the BSF. These suspects are being classified as “unregistered” and placed in temporary holding centres established along the border.
On 29 May, reports indicated that at least 386 undocumented individuals were detained during a state-wide crackdown across West Bengal and transferred to 13 holding centres spanning eight border districts.
While Indian media outlets claim these individuals are gathering voluntarily at the border, Bangladeshi officials maintain they are being forcibly displaced.
In Satkhira, push-in attempts originating from Hakimpur, India, have targeted the Keragachhi and Chandanpur borders in Kalaroa since 26 May. Border officials indicate that, faced with stiff BGB resistance, Indian authorities plan to relocate Bengali speakers from the Hakimpur holding center to attempt entry through other sectors.
Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Ashikur Rahman, commander of the 33 BGB Battalion in Satkhira, confirmed that round-the-clock patrolling and surveillance have been intensified across the 54-kilometre border under his command. “Activities have been stepped up at key checkpoints. The BGB remains on high alert to prevent any form of illegal infiltration or push-ins,” he said.
Tensions have also spiked along the Chapainawabganj and Naogaon borders. At around 3:00am on Thursday, BSF personnel from India’s Ashrafpur camp attempted to push 28 individuals, including 12 men, ten women, and six children, across the Bangabari border in Gomostapur of Chapainawabganj.
This sector falls under the jurisdiction of the 16 BGB Battalion in Naogaon. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam told TIMES, “We have held all 28 individuals at the zero line on Indian territory, and necessary measures are being taken to return them.”
While noting that genuine Bangladeshi citizens would be accepted through official legal protocols, he emphasised, “Forced push-ins like this will not be tolerated. We are communicating with the BSF while simultaneously reinforcing our border patrols and surveillance.”
Meanwhile, vigilance has been heightened along the Nilphamari and Panchagarh borders. Throughout Wednesday, authorities used loudspeakers across border villages to alert local residents. Public awareness meetings were also held with local representatives, community leaders, and residents to discuss border security, infiltration prevention, and potential push-in threats.
“Manpower has been boosted across 19 Border Outpost (BOP) camps in the Nilphamari and Panchagarh districts. Our personnel are patrolling and guarding their assigned areas day and night. At night, intensive surveillance is being maintained using searchlights, flashlights, and night-vision goggles,” Lieutenant Colonel Md Sirajul Islam, commander of the 56 BGB Battalion, said while speaking to TIMES.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters at the ministry on Monday that Bangladesh has taken a firm position along the border and will not allow any push-in into Bangladesh from India by the BSF.
BGB foils 10 push-in attempts within 24 hours
The BGB foiled ten separate “push-in” attempts across various frontier sectors within a 24-hour window, according to an official press release.
In Jhenaidah, the BSF attempted to deport four to five individuals through the Jadavpur border and another 30 to 35 people through the Maheshpur sector. However, facing stiff resistance from BGB patrols and local residents, BSF personnel were forced to reload the individuals into vans and retreat.
Similar deportation attempts were thwarted along the Goga and Rudrapur borders in Jashore, where the BGB’s Khulna Battalion (21 BGB) successfully repelled the manoeuvres. Meanwhile, acting on advance intelligence, the 20 BGB Battalion intercepted ten individuals attempting to cross the Kaya and Basudebpur borders in Joypurhat.
Security has also been heavily reinforced along the Chapainawabganj border following intelligence reports that Indian authorities are holding dozens of individuals in temporary centres for imminent deportation. This includes four Muslim citizens detained near a BSF camp, as well as 22 people kept under strict surveillance at a holding centre in India’s Malda district, directly opposite the Sonamasjid border.
Furthermore, the BGB received reports that a BSF patrol from the Kakarmoni camp had detained two Bangladeshi citizens near the Haripur border in Thakurgaon and held them in custody. In Panchagarh, local residents detained an individual who had been successfully pushed through the Rawshanpur border; the BGB subsequently returned him to India.
A similar incident occurred at the Utmachara border in Sylhet, where locals apprehended two individuals and handed them over to the BGB. After identifying them as Indian citizens, the BGB pushed them back across the line.
The BGB remains on highest alert along the un-fenced Kachugarh border in Netrokona, following reports that 15 to 20 people have been gathered on the Indian side for a potential push-in.
“No individual or group will be permitted to cross the border illegally under any circumstances,” the BGB statement declared. “Any push-in attempt that violates international border management protocols, existing laws, and bilateral agreements will be strongly resisted. The BGB remains firmly determined to protect the country’s sovereignty and border security, and we are fully prepared to handle any situation.”
