In Meherpur’s border areas, it is no longer only the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) that stands watch. Ordinary people from villages along the frontier have also joined hands in protecting the country’s sovereignty. Concerned by a series of recent alleged push-in attempts through the border, local residents have spontaneously begun taking part in patrols alongside the BGB.
They say this is not a political or personal initiative, but a patriotic civic duty to help ensure the country’s security.
Day-and-night vigilance along the border, quickly informing the BGB about suspicious movements, and remaining alert to prevent illegal entry have together turned ordinary villagers into the border’s “vigilant guardians”. Their only demand is that no one should be pushed into Bangladesh across the barbed-wire fence. If anyone needs to be sent back, it must be done in accordance with international law and the established diplomatic procedures between the two countries.
Local residents claim that allegations of push-ins have increased along different border points since a new government came to power in West Bengal. Meherpur has also witnessed several such incidents in recent weeks.
On 6 June, six people, including women and children, were pushed into Bangladesh through the Tentulbaria border. Later, four people were allegedly pushed in through the Buripota border on 19 June, 10 through the Sheoratal border on 25 June, three more through the Dhala border on 26 June, and most recently, on Monday, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly attempted to send 10 people into Bangladesh. However, several of these attempts were foiled due to the firm stance of the BGB and the vigilance of local people.
While the BSF maintains strict surveillance on the other side of the border, ordinary people on this side are now also keeping tireless watch alongside the BGB. A similar scene can be seen in almost every border village of Meherpur. As evening falls, many residents take positions near the border on their own initiative. Some assist BGB patrols, while others immediately alert law enforcement agencies whenever they notice any suspicious movement.
Abdur Razzaq, a resident of the Sheoratal border area, said attempts to switch off border lights at night and push people into Bangladesh were completely unacceptable.
“The BGB is not alone at the border. Every conscious citizen of the country stands beside them. If anyone has to be sent back, it must be done in line with international law and the existing rules of the two countries,” he said.
Another resident of the area, Rokib Uddin, said the manner in which people were being pushed into Bangladesh without regard for any law was worrying.
“If this continues, a new humanitarian and security crisis similar to the Rohingya crisis may emerge. That is why we have stood beside the BGB out of patriotism,” he said.
Amanullah Rafi, a young man from the border area, said a permanent solution to the problem would not be possible through strict border surveillance alone.
“Effective talks at the diplomatic level between the two countries are urgently needed. Only then will tension along the border ease and incidents such as push-ins come to an end,” he said.
Local residents say they do not want any conflict. Rather, they want the friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries to remain intact. However, they are not willing to compromise on the country’s sovereignty and border security.
BGB officials have also praised the role of ordinary people along the border.
Nurul Huda, assistant director of Kushtia 47 BGB, said the presence of local people in border surveillance had made their work much easier.
“With the cooperation of local people, we are receiving information quickly and are able to respond more effectively to any possible situation. This is also inspiring BGB members,” he said.
