In a persistent breach of international agreements and bilateral accords, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has continued its controversial practice of pushing individuals many of whom are Indian Muslims and registered Rohingya refugees across the border into Bangladesh. Over the past 23 days, from May 7 to May 29, at least 1,066 people have been forcibly pushed into Bangladesh from various border points, despite repeated protests and diplomatic efforts by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The latest incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at the Enayetpur border in Birol upazila, Dinajpur, where 13 individuals, predominantly women, were pushed into Bangladesh. The BGB and local police took these individuals to a camp for identification, and further steps are pending after verifying their identities.
Data from the BGB reveals that the highest numbers of push-ins happened through Moulvibazar (331 individuals), followed by Khagrachhari (111), Sylhet (103), Kurigram (84), Lalmonirhat (75), and several other border districts. Notably, 78 people were pushed through the remote Mandarbaria area of the Sundarbans, highlighting the extensive reach of these operations.
Disturbingly, reports indicate that the BSF has employed brutal tactics to force people across the border. Selina Begum, 41, recounted her harrowing experience on the night of May 21. She and her family, including her husband Ummed Ali and three daughters, were tied with plastic bottles by BSF personnel and thrown into the Feni River near the Sabrang border in Tripura. They floated all night until Bangladeshi villagers rescued them the following morning.
According to BGB sources, the family was rescued around 6:00 am on May 22, after locals heard their cries for help. The incident highlights the inhumane methods reportedly used by the Indian border security forces to forcibly push individuals into Bangladesh, raising serious concerns about violations of human rights and international law.
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