DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT

Bangladesh has called on India to immediately stop the recent push-in of people across the border, warning that such actions pose risks to security and undermine mutual understanding.

In a letter sent on May 8, the foreign ministry raised concern over people being pushed into the country and urged New Delhi to adhere to established repatriation mechanisms, people with knowledge of proceedings told The Daily Star.

The move follows reports that India’s Border Security Force (BSF) pushed in around 300 people, including Rohingyas, into Bangladesh between May 7 and May 9 through remote points along the border.

These include areas such as Panchari, Jamini Para and Khedachhara in Khagrachhari; areas in Moulvibazar; the Raumari char regions in Kurigram; and the remote Mandarbaria island in the Sundarbans.

Amid such incidents, the BGB has ramped up patrols and heightened vigilance along the borders, he added.

The foreign ministry’s letter warned that such actions could jeopardise overall security and fuel negative public sentiment.

The push-ins violate existing bilateral frameworks, including the 1975 India-Bangladesh joint guidelines for border

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