United News of Bangladesh

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Thursday said that instances of pushback or push-in by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) continue regularly, involving not only Bangladeshis but sometimes Indian nationals as well -- actions that constitute violations of human rights. "We have been strongly protesting to the BSF regarding the push-ins from the Indian side," the BGB chief said after attending the passing-out parade of the 103rd recruit batch at the Border Guard Training Centre and College (BGTCC) at Baitul Izzat in Satkania, Chattogram. He said that the issue is not limited to Bangladeshis alone. "In some cases, Indian citizens and even some Rohingyas are being sent over the border, which we consider a serious violation of human rights. We have officially lodged strong protests, and these incidents have also been reported in both national and international media," he said. Maj Gen Siddiqui stressed that Bangladesh always encourages due process for the repatriation of illegal entrants. "If any Bangladeshi enters India illegally, we ensure their return through proper discussions and formal handovers," he said. However, he pointed out that despite official handovers in some areas, BSF continues to push people back informally in others. “While such pushbacks may pause for a day or two, the overall process has not stopped,” the BGB DG added. Not an inch of land will be left unprotected: BGB DG on fresh recruits He said the issue has been raised multiple times through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Letters have been sent to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and also to the Bangladesh Embassy in India. I am personally in communication with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka,” he said adding that they (BGB) are doing our best to resist this. But in most cases, the Bangladeshis being pushed in had gone to India long ago, he added. Responding to a question, the BGB chief acknowledged a manpower shortage. "We currently have around 57,000 personnel tasked with guarding a 4,427-kilometre border,” he said. To address the manpower crisis, the government has assured BGB of 5,000 new recruits, and the recruitment process is expected to begin soon, he mentioned. When asked about preparations for the upcoming national election, the  DG said, “After ensuring border security, the remaining force will be deployed to provide the necessary support for a free and fair election.” He added that BGB could be deployed as a striking force to help maintain security and ensure smooth voting in polling centres located within eight kilometres of the border.

Bangladesh has urged India to take measures to immediately stop the push-ins, stressing that such push-ins without due process would undermine mutual understanding between the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter on May 8 seeking due process and urging India to follow established mechanisms, said a diplomatic source. Bangladesh said such push-ins fuel negative public sentiment and it would only accept those through proper channels if they are confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens. Bangladesh also highlighted the importance of peace and stability along the border and noted that such push-ins are unacceptable and should be avoided. Referring to reported push-ins from India, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on May 7 said any push-ins should be done in a formal channel and Bangladesh's position is to welcome only its citizens with sufficient proof. India's push-ins are "well-planned and despicable": BGB DG "This needs to be done in a formal channel," he said when a journalist wanted to know his comments referring to media reports. "We are examining each case separately. Our decision is we will receive only if there is proof that they are Bangladeshi citizens," he added. Khalilur Rahman said that such push-ins are not the right way emphasising on formal channels.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Sunday  foiled an alleged attempt of   the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to build  a barbed-wire fences near the zero point along Dahgram border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district. Subedar Lutfur Rahman, commanding officer of Dahgram Angorpota BGB, said the BSF members attempted to build a barbed-wire fence with iron rod near pillar No 2-3 to no 8 along the border on Friday night. Later, the BGB commanding officer visited the spot on Saturday morning and asked the BSF members to stop building a fence.  A tense situation has been prevailing in the area over the issue. Bandhu Mahal Feni District launches free Iftar booth for the needy Later, a flag meeting was held between BSF and BGB members on Saturday morning.  Commanding officer of Panbari Company of BGB 51 Battalion,  Subedar Ayub Ali led the BGB delegation while Company Commander of BSF Botbari Zalam Singh led the seven-member BSF delegation.  Commanding officer of BGB Lieutenant Colonel Selim Aldin, said BSF informed them that some villagers with the help of local administration attempted to construct the fence and BSF also assured that they will solve the issue soon after a discussion with the high officials concerned.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has allegedly erected electric pillars along the border in Patgram of Lalmonirhat, breaching International Border Act, said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday morning. Local farmers spotted some iron-made electric pillars and equipment of setting up those in the Dhabalsuti area of the upazila on Thursday afternoon after they went to crop fields to work. BSF ‘attempts to strengthen barbed wire fence’ with bamboo in Lalmonirhat border Being informed, members of the BGB-61 Battalion rushed to the spot and found the presence of the electric pillars and other materials. The BSF personnel, however, erected the pillars within 50 yards off the Zero Line along the border of the both countries on Tuesday night with the help of locals, said the BGB and locals. The construction was made at the sub pillar No-2 under the main pillar 829 along the border in Patgram Sadar union. Bangladesh's 'tone' at BGB-BSF conference to be different: Home Adviser Mahbub Rahman, company commandant (subedar) of the BGB’s Dhabalsuti Camp in Patgram, confirmed the matter of erecting pillars.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has thwarted yet another attempt allegedly by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to install barbed-wire fence along the Uchna border in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat district. Lieutenant Colonel Nahid Newaz, the Commander of Joypurhat-20 BGB battalion, said when BSF troops attempted to build a barbed wire fence on Tuesday morning, BGB members intervened, forcing them to abandon the fence construction and leave. “The situation there is now quiet and calm, and normal,” he said. Locals said BSF members from the Indian Chakgopal camp tried to construct a fence within 30 yards of the zero point, violating international law around 8am. At one point, BGB personnel from Hatkhola border post under Joypurhat-20 BGB intervened, forcing the BSF to retreat with their materials and stop the construction, the BGB commander said. A letter was sent to BSF for holding a company commander-level flag meeting between the two sides, said the BGB official. BSF obstructs reconstruction of mosque at Beanibazar border On January 7, the BSF unlawfully began constructing a barbed-wire fence along the zero line, prompting the BGB to intervene, heightening tensions along the border. Besides, tensions flared up along the Kaliganj border in Shibganj Upazila, Chapainawabganj, as Indian nationals allegedly hurled crude bombs at Bangladeshis in the presence of BSF January 18. Amid the escalating tensions, a flag meeting at the battalion commander-level between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF was held in the afternoon over the incident. BGB had lodged a protest with the BSF, and the matter had been reported to the higher authorities of the BGB.

India's elite border guards have allegedly thrashed two Bangladeshi men at the entry gate of the Dahagram-Angarpota Tin Bigha Corridor in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat. Dahagram-Angarpota is a Bangladeshi enclave in India, about 200 metres from the international border. It is linked to mainland Bangladesh through the Tin Bigha Corridor, which is situated in Patgram upazila. Read: Two Bangladeshis killed by BSF inside Indian territory - Locals claimed that Joynal Abedin (32) and Al Mamun (40) were caught and tortured by the Border Security Force (BSF) after they "accidentally" strayed into India through the corridor on Monday. The duo had narrated their ordeal, after their release by the Indian border guards. Later that day, a flag meeting was held between the BSF and Border Guards Bangladesh after the latter lodged a strong protest over the incident with their Indian counterparts. Read: Bangladeshi youth killed in BSF firing along Lalmonirhat border Movement through the Tin Bigha corridor was also halted for two hours that day in the wake of the incident. At the flag meeting, two company commanders of the Indian border guards also expressed their regret over the incident, Nazrul Islam, company commander of the 51 Border Guards Bangladesh Panbari camp, told UNB. “After getting information about the incident, we immediately protested and called a flag meeting. At the flag meeting, the BSF expressed its regret over the beating of the two Bangladeshi men and promised that such incidents would not happen again,” he said.

  A flag meeting has been held between the border guards of Bangladesh and India in the wake of tensions over the construction of a new mosque next to a 200-year-old mosque in the Gajukata border area of Beanibazar upazila in Sylhet. The BGB-BSF flag meeting was held at Sutarkandi ICP at 5pm on Tuesday (March 23, 2021).  Also read: Petrapole port suspends trade protesting ‘harassment’ by BSF BGB 52 Battalion Commander Lt. Colonel Shah Alam Siddiqui led the BGB delegation while BSF 7 Battalion Commander Captain BS Minhaj led the BSF side. At the end of the meeting, Battalion Commander Colonel Md. Shah Alam Siddiqui told reporters that under the 1975 agreement, Indian forces could not enter 150 yards of the zero line and provide any kind of barrier.  They violated the border law by blocking the construction of a 200-year-old mosque within 150 yards of No Man's Land.  We have strongly protested against this. Also read: BGB-BSF border conference begins in Guwahati He said removal of BSF bunkers and continuation of the construction work of the mosque were discussed in the meeting. However, the BSF bunkers were not removed till filing this report at 8 pm. The Lt. Colonel also added that there will be more flag meetings. He said the BGB was on alert in the border area in the situation that arose. Also read: Four-day BGB-BSF border talks begin It has been learnt that BSF obstructed the construction work of this mosque once before. The situation was resolved in a single flag meeting at that time.