Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on high alert to prevent illegal intrusion and potential “push-in” attempts by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Satkhira border. Reports of these attempts have heightened anxiety and concern among residents living in the frontier areas.
Earlier, starting from 26 May, the BSF reportedly attempted for several consecutive days to push a large number of purportedly Bengali-speaking men, women, and children into Bangladesh.
These attempts took place at the Hakimpur border (under Baduria Police Station in India), located opposite the Keragachhi and Chandanpur borders of Kalaroa Upazila. While these incidents were covered by various Indian media outlets, the BGB’s strict surveillance successfully foiled the attempts.
According to the residents of bordar area, following the formation of the new government in the Indian state of West Bengal, police have been detaining immigrants labelled as “unregistered” and placing them in temporary holding centres near the border.
These individuals are subsequently handed over to the BSF, who then attempt to push them into Bangladesh, claiming they are Bangladeshi nationals.
Border sources suggest that due to the BGB’s stringent monitoring at the Satkhira frontier, the BSF has been forced to move these individuals away from this area to attempt push-ins through the borders of other districts.
Lt Col Kazi Ashiqur Rahman, commanding officer of the Satkhira-33 BGB battalion, said that patrols and surveillance have been intensified day and night across the 54-kilometre border stretch under his jurisdiction. He further noted that activities at key checkposts have been bolstered to maintain security.
“The BGB is on maximum alert to thwart any type of illegal intrusion or push-in attempt,” the Commanding Officer added.
