FROM PAGE 1

In a separate incident at the Rokonpur border in Gomastapur upazila of Chapainawabganj, BGB said it prevented another push-in attempt involving around 15 people.

Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of Naogaon Battalion (16 BGB), disclosed the information in a press release yesterday morning.

According to him, the incident occurred at around 12:45am on Friday. The group comprised two men, eight women and five children.

Masum said BSF personnel attempted to send them into Bangladesh by boat through a waterway, but BGB moved in and blocked the attempt once the boat reached the zero line.

Following BGB’s resistance, members of the Kotalpur border outpost under BSF’s 88th Battalion took the group back into India at around 2:45am.

Earlier, on the night of June 3, BSF allegedly attempted to push 28 people into Bangladesh through the Bangabari border in Gomastapur. After remaining in No Man’s Land for two days, the group was taken back by BSF.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a reception organised by the Saltha Press Club in her Faridpur constituency on Friday, Shama Obaed said Bangladesh was continuing diplomatic efforts to address the issue.

“Our foreign ministry has already sent 13 letters to Delhi. The Border Guard Bangladesh is in a very difficult position but remains firm. The BGB is resisting attempts to push people into Bangladesh from India,” she said.

She added that Bangladesh expected India to follow established mechanisms for repatriating undocumented citizens.

“If any Bangladeshi nationals are staying illegally in India, they should be returned through proper diplomatic channels using the established mechanisms. Similarly, if any Indian nationals are staying illegally in Bangladesh, we will also repatriate them through the same legal procedures,” she said.