United News of Bangladesh

Every school day, teachers and students in Feni step into classrooms of many schools that could collapse under their feet. More than 200 government primary schools in the district are operating despite damaged infrastructure, with over fifty buildings officially declared unsafe. For those inside, each day is a constant struggle against fear. In Feni, a district of 559 government primary schools, the aftermath of the 2024 floods is still painfully visible. Of the 284 schools damaged by the floods, many remain unrepaired, leaving teachers, students and guardians anxious about their safety, both locals and officials said. Read more: Infrastructure, education projects worth over Tk 190cr get govt nod In Feni Sadar Upazila, 110 out of 151 schools continue to function despite structural damage. Daganbhuiyan Upazila has 16 affected schools out of 102. Sonagazi Upazila has 77 schools damaged, Chhagalnaiya 65, Parashuram seven and Fulgazi nine. Many of these schools struggle with broken furniture, cracked walls, exposed rods, and leaking roofs. At Paschim Sonapur Government Primary School in Kazirbagh Union of Feni Sadar Upazila, UNB found classes continuing in a building that seems ready to crumble. Plaster falls from the ceiling, iron rods stick out dangerously, and cracks snake across walls and pillars. Rainwater seeps into classrooms, leaving students soaked and frightened. “We are always afraid because the school building is unsafe. It has not been repaired for a long time. We want the government to build a new school so we can study safely,” said students Abrar Mahmud Iran, Bibi Mariam Maria, Jannatul Fateya, and Jannatul Maula Radia. Parents share the fear. Mohammad Faruk and Md Saiful Islam said, “We fear sending our children to school. The building is unsafe and we do not know what might happen. Who will take responsibility if an accident occurs? The school is supposed to serve as a shelter during floods, but now even that is risky. We strongly urge the government to take immediate action.” Read more: ADB pledges $2.57 bln to boost Bangladesh’s infrastructure, finance For teachers, daily lessons are delivered under a shadow of danger. Arup Dutta, a local resident, described how plaster frequently falls during classes, rods jut out from walls, and ceilings leak when it rains. “We are teaching in fear. The government must build a new building to safeguard students’ education and future.” Headmaster Sangram Lodh added that the building’s poor condition, worsened by last year’s floods, leaves him with no choice but to continue classes there. “Many parents are now sending their children to kindergartens or madrasas instead of government schools. Despite repeated requests, authorities have taken no action to build a new facility,” he said. Mohi Uddin Khandaker, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Teachers’ Association, emphasised that education must happen in safe and supportive environments. “Urgent steps are needed to develop these dilapidated schools so that students can study with interest,” he said. Feni District Primary Education Officer Firoz Ahmed confirmed the scale of the problem. “The district has 559 government primary schools across six upazilas. Several were damaged in the 2024 floods, and more than fifty are in risky condition. Some buildings have already been repaired.” Cooking inside operation theatre at Feni General Hospital; probe body formed He said details of unsafe schools have been sent to the relevant authorities. “We hope that when the Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5) begins in July 2026, all schools will see improvements.” Until then, however, the children of Feni continue their studies in fear, navigating classrooms where every crack and leak is a reminder of the risks they face, and the urgent need for action, according to locals.

A Feni court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against 171 people including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the killing of a college student during the July uprising. Feni Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Hassan passed the order after accepting the chargesheet in the case. Former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Feni-2 MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, Feni-3 MP Masud Uddin were among the accused in the case. Read More: District Judge Court staff found dead in Feni On July 31, 2025, sub-inspector of Feni Model Police Station and also the investigation officer of the case Alamgir Hossain, submitted the chargesheet against 221 people. On August 7, 2024, Mahabubul Hasan Masum, a college student, died from gunshot wounds received three days earlier, during the July Uprising. Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, brother of Masum, filed a case against 162 identified people and 400-500 unidentified people with Feni Model Police Station. So far, 39 people have been arrested in the case.

In a major push toward clean energy, the government has taken up a plan to ramp up renewable power generation and reduce reliance on coal and fuel-based electricity that contributes to environmental degradation. The project titled “Construction of Sonagazi 220 MW Solar Power Plant,” will be implemented by the Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Ltd (EGCB) under the Power Division. Once completed, it will stand as one of the largest utility-scale solar installations in the country. A Major Step Toward a Greener Power Mix The proposed plant will be set up in Sonagazi upazila of Feni district, marking a substantial stride in Bangladesh’s efforts to diversify energy sources and align with long-term climate and clean energy commitments. According to the project proposal, the solar plant will require an estimated investment of Tk 1,888.10 crore. Read more: BRAC Bank, IDCOL fund 64.55 MW solar project Of this, Tk 147.56 crore will come from the government, Tk 1,623.63 crore from foreign financing, and Tk 116.91 crore from EGCB’s own resources. The project is expected to run from July 2025 to June 2028. Officials said the move corresponds with national plans to boost renewable energy’s share in the power mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.  It is also designed to help achieve the target of generating 20 percent of Bangladesh’s electricity from renewable sources as highlighted in the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023. Under the plan, the government aims to raise renewable capacity to 38 gigawatts by 2050. Key Infrastructure and Technical Features The plant’s construction will involve installing 469,560 solar PV modules and 26 grid-connected inverters, supported by a 240MVA electrical substation. It will also include four 230/33kV transformers, auxiliary transformers and a 13.3km second circuit of a 230kV transmission line. Read more: BSTI opens state-of-the-art solar panel testing lab A new GIS bay at the BEZA substation and an AIS bay at EGCB’s existing 75MW substation will also be developed to facilitate uninterrupted transmission. Beyond its electrical infrastructure, the project includes building 6.9km of embankments, laying CC blocks along 2.67km of the southern dyke, excavating and renovating two canals spanning 3km, constructing 10.98km of internal roads, and developing a control room and a five-storey dormitory. A Vision Rooted in Earlier Planning EGCB’s journey in developing renewable energy in Sonagazi dates back to 2017, when it acquired 999.65 acres in Purba Bardhali mouza. Of this, 285 acres were used for a 75MW solar plant already in operation. The new 220MW facility will be built on 634 acres of the remaining land. Once operational, the electricity generated will be fed into the national grid via PGCB’s Mirsarai substation, ensuring distribution across the country. Read more: Solar power projects face delays amid challenges: Adviser Fouzul Kabir The Planning Commission officials said the project would add 220MW of clean energy to the grid, reduce carbon emissions, and support improved service reliability. It also said the initiative would help develop skilled manpower in advanced solar technologies. Solar Expansion Gains Momentum Nationwide Bangladesh’s renewable energy landscape has been expanding in recent years, with several high-capacity plants already operational. These include 275MW Beximco Gaibandha Solar PV Park, Rangpur (commissioned 2021 134.30MW Mongla Solar PV Park, Khulna (2021),134.30MW Orion Khulna Solar PV Park, Khulna (2021), 73MW Mymensingh Solar PV Park (2021), 20MW Teknaf Solartech Energy Limited Plant, Cox’s Bazar (2018) Large-scale initiatives under development include 1,000MW Swarna Dwip Solar Plant, Noakhali — a Bangladesh Army Welfare Trust project, 300MW Rampal Solar Power Plant, a Saudi-Bangladesh joint venture. Other projects in the pipeline involve capacities of 300MW in Sreemangal and 200MW each in Mongla and Thakurgaon, reflecting a strategic nationwide shift toward solar-driven power generation. As Bangladesh positions itself for a renewable-focused future, the massive Sonagazi solar plant is expected to play a transformative role—cutting emissions, easing pressure on fossil fuel imports, and ensuring cleaner, more reliable energy for millions. Read more: Walton installs country’s largest floating solar power plant

Unplanned, unregulated and unapproved poultry farms across Feni district are triggering severe environmental pollution, disrupting local biodiversity and putting thousands of residents at risk, according to locals and officials. Residents have filed repeated complaints with government offices over the growing pollution caused by the mushrooming farms. The district administration has responded with assurances of action, but meaningful intervention is yet to be seen. According to data from the Department of Environment (DoE), Feni has 1,367 registered poultry farms, while another 1,814 have applied for environmental clearance. Among these are 544 layer farms, 856 broiler farms, 384 Sonali farms, eight parent stock layer farms and 22 parent stock broiler farms. However, the number of illegal and unapproved farms remains unknown. Officials estimate the actual figure to be more than double the number of registered farms. A visit to several parts of Sonagazi upazila revealed poultry farms built haphazardly on rooftops, in residential yards, beside ponds, on croplands, along canals and directly next to roads. Despite clear guidelines requiring clearance from the Livestock Department and compliance with structural standards, the vast majority of these farms have ignored the rules altogether. During recent inspections, this correspondent found many farms operating without environmental clearance or Livestock Department licences, even though existing regulations require either DoE approval or registration with the Livestock Department before a farm can be established. Because these farms have expanded outside the legal framework, environmental pollution has intensified across Sonagazi and other unions. Read more: How Green Industries Can Reduce River Water Pollution in Dhaka City The impact on local ecology is profound, while residents say their daily lives have become increasingly unbearable. Agricultural lands are suffering extensive damage, with waste from an estimated 95% of the farms polluting water bodies and soil. Dumped waste is contaminating canals, disrupting irrigation and creating shortages of clean water. Although guidelines dictate that poultry farms must be located at least 200 metres from residential areas, many have been set up right beside homes, schools and mosques. The foul odour makes nearby roads difficult to use, and locals report rising illness among residents and students of surrounding educational institutions. Many residents say farm owners often wield local influence, making it difficult to protest. Those who raise concerns are reportedly harassed or threatened. Farm waste has also reduced crop yields, while the constant stench makes it difficult for children and adults alike to move around the affected areas. Mamtaz Begum, a 70-year-old resident of Char Elahi village under Motiganj Union, said she once lived peacefully. But over the past four to five years, influential locals have set up layer farms near her home. Waste from the farms has polluted ponds and croplands, while the smell, carried by the south wind, has worsened her breathing problems. She fears she may eventually have to abandon her ancestral home. Similar conditions prevail across Bogadana, Amirabad, Mongalkandi and Nawabpur unions, where unplanned and unapproved farms continue to proliferate without environmental clearance, livestock licences or even basic trade licences from the Union Parishad. Residents say repeated complaints and even human-chain protests have failed to yield results, largely due to weak monitoring. They demand strict action against the illegal farms. With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu In Char Elahi village, a farm near the house of Mishu Soudagar was found just 15 yards from residential houses. Between 40 and 50 households live within a 150-yard radius. Waste is dumped into a small pit and nearby cropland, attracting flies and mosquitoes and producing an overpowering stench. Dead chickens wrapped in plastic bags were also seen dumped in roadside drains and fields. Kamal Hossain, a resident of the area, said locals must use the road beside the farm several times a day, enduring the unbearable odour. Children face difficulties travelling to school, while mosquito infestations have escalated sharply. Some farm owners, however, insist they are trying to comply. Ahsan Ullah of Bogadana Union said he started his farm to become self-reliant after returning from abroad. Closing it now would cause severe financial loss, he said, adding that he has applied for clearance. But nearby residents, including Pulak, Farida Begum, Khadija Begum and Abdul Shukur, said the farm’s waste has made life intolerable. Strong hatchery, skilled workforce vital for sustainable growth of poultry sector

At least three people, including two women, were killed and 10 others injured when a speeding bus lost control and ploughed into a roadside shop in Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni district on Thursday. Two of the deceased were identified as Shamim Ara Begum, 50, wife of Shahidullah from Khushipur area, Md Shraban, 20, son of Abdul Matin from Dakshin Jaylaskar village of the upazila. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohipal Highway Police Station Harunur Rashid said the accident occurred around 10:15am when the Noakhali-bound bus of ‘Sugandha Paribahan’ from Feni Sadar skidded and hit an electric pole before crashing into the shop on Feni-Noakhali regional road near the entrance of Lucky Road adjacent to Silonia Bazar. The accident left at least 13 people injured, he said. Businessman killed in Meherpur road crash Locals rescued the injured and sent them to Feni General Hospital where physicians declared three of them dead on arrival, the OC said. Of the injured, seven are receiving treatment at the hospital, one was shifted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital and two others were released after giving first aid, he said, adding that the bodies have been kept at the hospital morgue. Blaming the reckless driving during rains, highway police officials said the bus was seized and legal action will be taken.

People along the banks of the Choto Feni River in three upazilas are living in constant fear as severe erosion devours land and swallows key regulators at Muchapur and Kazirhat. The erosion has struck Companiganj, Daganbhuiyan and Sonagazi upazilas, claiming crop fields, fruit orchards, roads and hundreds of homesteads. Locals estimate that some 41,000 hectares of farmland have already disappeared, while a further 30,000 hectares remain under threat. Homes, markets, religious institutions and major roads are also teetering on the brink. On September 15, more than a hundred residents from Badarpur village in Chormojlishpur union, Sonagazi, formed a human chain in front of the Feni Water Development Board office. They demanded urgent measures to save their homes, mosques and surrounding land from further erosion. Villagers said that although a contractor has been stationed in the area for over a month under a large-scale project, no meaningful protection work has begun — not even the placement of geo bags. They claim the contractor has blamed the Board and stalled progress with repeated excuses. Dug-up road turns into knee-deep canal; Kaliganj villagers have to use rafts Meanwhile, several roads have collapsed, cracks have appeared in houses and the situation is deteriorating fast. Residents warn that unless prompt action is taken, entire villages could soon disappear. Among the worst-hit locations in Sonagazi Upazila are North Char Darbesh, North West Char Darbesh, Char Sahavikhari, Char Injiman, Taltoli, Tellargat, Fakirapul and Italy Market in Char Darbesh Union. Badarpur and Miajir’s Ghat in Char Majlishpur Union have also been badly affected. In Bogdana Union, erosion has damaged Jelepara, Kuthirhat, Katakhila, Kalimandir, Aurarkhil, Adarshgram, Kazirhat Sluice Gate, Alampur, Dhanipara and Saheber Ghat. In Daganbhuiyan Upazila, Bhashashahid Salam Nagar village has been hit, while in Noakhali’s Companiganj Upazila, Muchapur village, Macchaghona, East Char Hazari and East Char Parbati in Char Parbati Union have suffered significant loss. Hundreds of cement and semi-cement houses have already been washed away. Villagers report that sections of their homes, trees and gardens have vanished overnight. Many are dismantling what remains and moving to temporary shelters. Some have tried to shore up the banks with bamboo and trees, but these makeshift barriers are proving futile. Dangerous Crossing: Kurigram villagers plead for permanent bridge The threat is particularly severe in north-west Char Darbesh, Kazirhat, Aurarkhil, Daspara, Katakhila and Kuthirhat, where the river is advancing relentlessly day and night. Monowara, a resident of Badarpur village in Majlishpur union, spoke of her grief, “The river has taken away our home.” Md Sentu Mia, also from Badarpur, said displaced families are staying with relatives. “They are going through immense hardship,” he explained. He added that although villagers have made attempts to stem the erosion, the contractor delayed starting work by two months. “Hundreds of people have become homeless in just two months due to heavy monsoon rains and high tides. Their homes are disappearing before our very eyes. We are helpless, and no one seems to be paying attention,” he said. Kamal Uddin from Char Gopalgaon described how the Chhoto Feni River runs along the western side of his village. Since recent floods, he said, the current has grown unusually strong, cutting into the banks for two to three kilometres. “Ten years ago, my house was swept away. Now I live on someone else’s land. Half of this village has already gone. Many more homes will disappear within weeks if urgent action is not taken,” he said. Meghnath Chandra Das, also from the area, said locals are trying to protect their homes with sandbags, bamboo and trees, “but it is not holding up at all.” Md Akter Hossain Majumder, executive engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s Feni office, confirmed that the Chhoto Feni, Feni and Kalidas Pahalia rivers are causing erosion across the three upazilas. He said 13 kilometres of riverbank are currently at risk. Billion-dollar Teesta mega project: A recipe for catastrophe He pointed to a major initiative, the ‘Be Strong’ project, recently approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Funded by the World Bank, the Tk171-crore scheme aims to reinforce vulnerable banks along the three rivers and is due to begin soon. Majumder added that in the 2024–25 financial year, repair work worth Tk17.75 crore has been completed at 116 locations. The Muchapur regulator, destroyed in last year’s flood, will also be rebuilt under a government initiative. Villagers remain hopeful that these measures, if implemented without delay, will spare them further loss and restore a measure of security.

The recent flooding in Feni district has left thousands of residents reeling from devastating losses across agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors, with the overall damage estimated at Tk 146.43 crore, according to official sources. Triggered by incessant rainfall and a surge of water from upstream regions, the flood submerged vast stretches of low-lying areas in Feni Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, Daganbhuiyan, Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas, severely affecting daily life and livelihoods, they said. Agriculture: A Battered Backbone According to a preliminary report from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), 5,564.61 hectares of cropland have been damaged. This includes 845 hectares of Aush paddy, 537 hectares of summer vegetables, 14 hectares of chilli, seven hectares of ginger, 2.5 hectares of turmeric, 0.11 hectares of tomato, 689 hectares of Aman seedbeds, and 3,470 hectares of stored ginger. The loss has impacted an estimated 28,835 farmers, with damages amounting to Tk 38.07 crore. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury from Darbarpur Union in Fulgazi upazila said, “My entire summer Aman seedbed on three bighas of land was ruined. Every year floods ruin our crops and plunge our families into a financial crisis.” Mustafizur Rahman of Dhanikunda in Parshuram upazila said, “Five bighas of vegetable lands have been submerged and damaged during the flood. Within a year, we have faced massive losses once again. If this continues, we will have to starve.” Mohammad Atik Ullah, Deputy Director of DAE, said, “There is still a lot of water in many areas. We can assess the true loss only once the water recedes. We’re working on initial calculations and will recommend compensation for affected farmers.” ‘When waters rise, our dreams drown’: Feni cries out for sustainable future Fisheries: Livelihoods Washed Away The fisheries sector reported a total loss of Tk 8.71 crore. According to the District Fisheries Office, 276.20 metric tonnes of fish worth Tk 5.90 crore were washed away from 2,330 ponds, water bodies, and farms. Besides, 128 metric tonnes of fish fry worth Tk 3.50 lakh were destroyed, while infrastructural damages amounted to Tk 42.50 lakh. Md Alamgir, a fish farmer from Munshirhat Union, said he lost fish from three ponds totalling three bighas, resulting in a loss of Tk 2.5 lakh. “We don’t know how to recover,” he added. Abdur Rahman from Paschim Alka village in Parshuram upazila shared a similar plight. “I lost my net-enclosed pond, with all the fish swept away. Officials did not assist us properly last year either, so it’ll be impossible to recover without help.” District Fisheries Officer Aminul Islam said final reports are being prepared and a list will be sent to the government for compensation. Livestock Sector Suffers Heavy Toll Floodwaters claimed the lives of 10,600 poultry birds—1,400 in Fulgazi, 7,200 in Parshuram, and 2,000 in Chhagalnaiya. Besides, 235 ducks, three goats, one sheep and four cows were lost, according to the District Livestock Office. Animal feed and fodder were also destroyed: seven tonnes of animal feed worth Tk 2.58 lakh, 30 metric tonnes of husk worth Tk 1.70 lakh, and 160 metric tonnes of grass worth Tk 7.65 lakh. Kamal Hossain from Amjad Hat Union lamented, “I lost one cow—the only source of income. We are now destitute. If sustainable dams are not constructed, this crisis will never end.” Md Hasan, owner of Bismillah Poultry in Bijoypur, said, “Years of hard work and dreams have ended in a moment, causing a loss of Tk 4.50 lakh.” Dr Md Mozammel Haque, Feni’s Livestock Officer, said the estimated loss in this sector stands at Tk 64.89 lakh. “Compensation will be disbursed to affected and marginal farmers once officially sanctioned,” he said. Breaches and Infrastructure Damage Embankments along the Muhuri, Kahua and Sillonia rivers suffered 41 breaches across five upazilas. The Water Development Board estimates damages at nearly Tk 9 crore. Assistant Engineer Abul Kashem said, “Since July 8, breaches have occurred in 41 locations along embankments, affecting five upazilas.” Meanwhile, floodwaters damaged 126 roads covering a combined 300 kilometres in three upazilas. Feni Roads & Highways Executive Engineer Mahmud Al Faruq said the damage is valued at Tk 90 crore. Tk 7,340 cr flood control embankment to be built in Feni: Adviser Displacement and Ongoing Hardship While 9,195 flood victims have left shelter homes, 365 people from 122 families are still residing in nine centres, highlighting the prolonged effects of the disaster. This flood, though severe, follows a more devastating one in August 2024, which claimed 29 lives and affected over ten lakh people in the district. That event caused total damages of approximately Tk 2,686.205 crore—crippling roads, schools, homes, businesses and vital infrastructure. With memories of last year’s disaster still fresh, many in Feni now wonder how many more blows their communities can endure without sustainable and long-term solutions.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday warned that holding another national election without cleansing the country's ‘stinking past practices’ would amount to a ‘massacre of democracy’. "We have made it clear that before any proper election, some essential and fundamental reforms must be carried out. It cannot be the genuine political intention of any party to obstruct this reform,” he said while speaking at a programme titled ‘Sudhi Somabesh’ in Feni town. The first step towards ensuring people’s rights is to hold a fair election, said the Jamaat chief, calling upon all to cooperate with the reform commission. Recalling the martyrs of last year’s July movement, he said, "We will not betray our children, and no one else will be allowed to do so either. We are ready to establish the state our martyrs dreamt of, respecting the price of their sacred blood." Any form of fascism must be resisted, reiterates Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said they do not want to hear even a “whisper of administrative interference” in the upcoming national election. "If that’s the case, then why so many people sacrificed their lives?" he questioned. The Jamaat Ameer reiterated his party's stance against fascism, saying that no fascism can stay on Bangladesh’s soil and they [Jamaat] have fought for the rights which are yet to be established. He mentioned that their fight for justice and people's rights will continue until every trace of authoritarianism is wiped out. "With patriotism in our hearts and faith in Allah, we must take the country forward." Presided over by Feni district Jamaat Ameer Mufti Abdul Hannan, the event was addressed, among others, by central and local Jamaat leaders, including central Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. Earlier in the afternoon, the Jamaat Ameer addressed a gathering of the party Rukon at the same venue. Jamaat wants local polls before national election 'to reduce public suffering'  During his speech, Dr Shafiqur emphasised adopting the Proportional Representation (PR) system to prevent the rise of fascism. He also stressed the need for holding local government elections before the next national one and insisted that all future elections must be held under a caretaker government.

The bodies of two children were recovered from the uncovered septic tank in Sat Mandir Road area of West Chhagalnaiya municipality in Feni late Friday night. The deceased were identified as Faisal Farabi, 9, son of Qatar expatriate Iqbal Hossain of East Shilua village in Pathannagar union and Sakhawat Hossain, 8, son of Dubai expatriate Shamsul Haque of Durgapur village in Ghupal union. The children went out to play and might have entered a nearby under-construction building where they accidentally fell into the open septic tank on the premises, said Chhagalnaiya Police Station Sub-Inspector Salauddin Rashed. Later, with assistance from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, their bodies were recovered from the tank. Five Feni villages innundated after collapse of flood embankments amid heavy rain Locals said  the building was still under construction and lacked basic safety measures. The mouth of the septic tank was left uncovered with no warning signs or protective barriers in place. The tragic deaths cast a pall of grief over the area. Police said the bodies were recovered and further legal steps will be taken in consultation with the families.  

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 13 Bangladeshis into the country through the Motua border in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni in the early hours of Friday without following due process, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). A patrol team of BGB’s Chhagalnaiya Border Outpost (BOP) under Battalion-4 found the group [four men, three women, and six children] inside an abandoned house near the Motua area around 9am and detained them, BGB said.  BSF 'push-ins' continue: 14 more sent through Matiranga border The detained individuals were identified as Md Altaf, 39, his wife Momina Begum, 32; Md Aminul Islam, 38, his wife Urmi Begum, 29; Mominul Haque, 35, his wife Shefali Begum, 30; and Ishraq Hossain, 40. The remaining six are children. Quoting the detainees, BGB said they were brought to the border with their hands and eyes tied. Taking advantage of bad weather, the BSF untied them and forced them across the border into Bangladesh. Lt Col Md Mosharraf Hossain, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-4 in Feni, said the BGB company commander lodged a verbal protest with his BSF counterpart over the incident. BGB said the 13 individuals were handed over to Chhagalnaiya Police Station. The local administration will take further action regarding them. Chhagalnaiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nazrul Islam said the detainees are currently being sheltered at a room in Motua Government Primary School and are receiving food and necessary assistance. “A formal protest note will be sent over the incident,” said Lt Col Mosharraf. BSF pushes 19 people into Bangladesh: BGB Since May 7, the BSF has illegally pushed almost a thousand individuals into Bangladesh - not all of them Bangladeshis -through various points of the border.