☕ Support Us
Atrocities of BSF/How BGB responds | Page 18 | PKDefense

Atrocities of BSF/How BGB responds

Reply (Scroll)
Press space to scroll through posts
Atrocities of BSF/How BGB responds
248
9K
More threads by Saif


Why India’s border ‘push-ins’ are unwarranted
If India’s objective were to combat illegal infiltration, there would have been no need to blindfold and torture these individuals, including women and children, and abandon them in uninhabited terrain along the border.

Kallol Mustafa
Published: 14 May 2025, 12: 54

1747269001747.png

The BSF had placed 78 individuals on a ship and abandoned them at Mandarbaria, a remote char in the Sundarbans. These individuals were later rescued by the Coast Guard. Prothom Alo

India’s approach to border management has long been marked by aggression, with frequent reports of the country’s Border Security Force (BSF) resorting to shooting, torturing, or killing Bangladeshi nationals along the border. In recent weeks, this aggressive stance has taken a disturbing turn: a significant number of people have been forcibly pushed into Bangladesh from India.

According to reports published in Prothom Alo, from 4 to 7 May, 167 people were pushed across the border into Bangladesh through five different districts. These included 73 through Khagrachhari, 46 through Kurigram, 23 through Sylhet, 15 through Moulvibazar, and 10 through Chuadanga. Then, on 9 May, the BSF offloaded another 78 individuals in Mandarbaria Char, a remote island in the Sundarbans region of Shyamnagar upazila.

Many of them were severely ill after being deprived of food for days; some bore visible signs of physical abuse, while one had a fractured arm. According to the victims, they were blindfolded, subjected to brutal treatment, and airlifted from Gujarat to Bangladesh.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has confirmed that those pushed into the country include nationals of three countries - Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar.

Among them are long-term Bangladeshi migrants who had lived in India for 20–25 years, often with families, and had obtained Indian Aadhaar cards and other official documents. The Indian authorities reportedly confiscated those documents and forcibly separated individuals from their families before pushing them into Bangladesh.

These push-ins are unlikely to be isolated or accidental. Rather, they suggest a calculated effort by India to exert pressure on Bangladesh's interim administration. This pressure is being exerted in parallel with negative propaganda about Bangladesh in Indian media subservient to the ruling BJP.

There are also Rohingya refugees in the group - some previously registered in camps in Bangladesh, others recognised as refugees in India with valid UNHCR identity cards issued there.

International law and bilateral agreements clearly stipulate that if a foreign national is found to have entered a country illegally, due process must be followed for repatriation. The actions taken by India - bypassing all diplomatic protocols and forcibly pushing people into Bangladesh - are not only illegal but also constitute a gross violation of human rights and international norms.

Bangladesh responded by issuing a diplomatic note of protest to India on 9 May. However, the situation remains tense, with reports indicating that more groups of people are being assembled along the border for further push-ins.

This sudden escalation is not without precedent. In the early 2000s, during the first BJP-led NDA government, push-ins were a common practice. That trend largely subsided following political changes in both countries.

But now, in the wake of Bangladesh’s political transition following the 5 August mass uprising—which led to the fall of the India-aligned Awami League government—India appears to be increasingly putting pressure on Bangladesh.

These push-ins are unlikely to be isolated or accidental. Rather, they suggest a calculated effort by India to exert pressure on Bangladesh's interim administration. This pressure is being exerted in parallel with negative propaganda about Bangladesh in Indian media subservient to the ruling BJP.

Importantly, Bangladesh has not retaliated by suspending India’s access to transit routes or port facilities, despite these being critical to India’s connectivity in the region. Yet, in a unilateral move, India revoked Bangladesh’s transshipment privileges for third-country exports via Indian territory—without any prior notice.

By forcibly expelling Bengali-speaking people and Rohingyas who have resided in its territory for an extended period, India is violating all relevant international laws, norms, and conventions.

Despite protests from Bangladesh, the continued killing of Bangladeshi citizens by BSF and the recent push-ins appear to be part of a broader policy of intimidation and pressure.

If India’s objective were to combat illegal infiltration, there would have been no need to blindfold and torture these individuals, including women and children, and abandon them in uninhabited terrain along the border. India and Bangladesh have several protocols in place for border management. Two key agreements are the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities of the Two Countries (1975) and the India-Bangladesh Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) of 2011.

Under these protocols, all types of border issues, including human trafficking, can be resolved through dialogue. For instance, under the CBMP, nodal officers have been appointed by both the Indian BSF and the Bangladesh BGB to address issues such as illegal infiltration and human trafficking. Their responsibilities include initiating peaceful resolutions to border-related disputes and informing higher authorities when necessary. It is evident that unilaterally pushing large numbers of people into Bangladesh constitutes a violation of the CBMP.

Such forced expulsion is also illegal under international law and customary practice. Article 13 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that a person lawfully present in a country shall not be expelled without due process of law.

While this provision formally applies to legal residents, Article 12(4) affirms that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter their own country. According to the UN Human Rights Committee, this right extends even to those lacking legal documentation but who have long resided in a country. As both India and Bangladesh are signatories to the ICCPR, India is clearly violating the agreement by expelling Bengali-speaking individuals who have lived in India for many years.

Furthermore, Article 22 of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families prohibits the expulsion of any migrant worker or their family members without due legal process. It explicitly forbids mass expulsions, requiring that each case be assessed individually before any decision is made.

Similarly, Article 4 of Protocol no. 4 to the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 22(9) of the American Convention on Human Rights, Article 12(5) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 26(1) of the Arab Charter on Human Rights all prohibit the mass expulsion of foreign nationals without due process. (Expulsions of Aliens in International Human Rights Law, OHCHR Discussion Paper, Geneva, 2006)

By forcibly expelling Bengali-speaking people and Rohingyas who have resided in its territory for an extended period, India is violating all relevant international laws, norms, and conventions.

Bangladesh should firmly protest these incidents through diplomatic channels and demand the repatriation of illegally pushed Indian nationals and registered Rohingya refugees through lawful procedures. At the same time, border surveillance must be enhanced to prevent such push-ins from recurring. If these illegal push-ins continue, Bangladesh should consider taking the issue to the United Nations.

* Kallol Mustafa, Writer and Researcher

** This article, originally published Prothom Alo Bangla edition, has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat​
 

India must stop border push-ins
India’s action violates international laws, bilateral agreements

1747270593051.png

VISUAL: STAR

India's unilateral push-in of around 300 individuals through various border areas of Bangladesh since May 7 is condemnable, as it violates diplomatic norms and established border management rules. Worryingly, it appears that the push-ins may continue. The BGB chief, in a recent briefing, said they learned about another 200 to 300 individuals who had been gathered on the other side of the Khagrachhari border, and that India's Border Security Force (BSF) is trying to push them into Bangladesh. Under the circumstances, the government has rightly demanded an immediate halt to these unilateral exercises by sending a protest letter to Delhi.

According to media reports, between May 7 and May 9, around 300 individuals were pushed in through areas such as Panchhari, Jamini Para, and Khedachhara in Khagrachhari; parts of Moulvibazar; the Roumari char regions of Kurigram; and Mandarbaria island in the Sundarbans. Among them were at least 39 people from the Rohingya community—some had previously been registered in Bangladesh's Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) camps but later crossed into India, while at least five were found holding UNHCR refugee cards issued from India. Three Indian nationals were also found among the pushed-in people. The rest are Bangladeshis who had migrated to India in the last 20–25 years; many have families and children who possess Indian nationality documents. While the BGB has taken steps to send the Bangladeshi nationals to their respective home districts through local administrations, the wider impact of such random push-ins cannot be overlooked.

It is expected that any return of such individuals would be carried out through proper channels, in line with established norms and regulations. But the way India is pushing people through remote, hard-to-patrol border points into Bangladesh violates the 1975 India-Bangladesh Joint Guidelines for border authorities, the 2011 Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), and decisions made during director general-level talks between the BGB and BSF. India's actions on its eastern border also set a bad precedent for its relations with neighbouring countries, especially in light of the recent conflict on its western border. And with its ties with Bangladesh already strained since the 2024 July uprising, such unilateral push-ins may only worsen the situation. Most importantly, these actions threaten our border security, which is totally unacceptable.

We urge the government to strongly raise these issues with the Indian authorities, question why Rohingya people were sent to Bangladesh instead of Myanmar, and, most importantly, why proper procedures were not followed in India's actions. If necessary, the government must involve the international community to put an end to such actions.​
 

Bangladesh fears 'push-in', 'push-back' for 340 people from India
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 15, 2025 22:40
Updated :
May 15, 2025 22:40

1747350419819.png


India's Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly pushed approximately 350 individuals into Bangladesh over the past two weeks, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sources.

This surge in cross-border movements coincides with heightened regional tensions following the Pahalgam incident in Kashmir, according to local media.

The BGB has detained 262 of these individuals, comprising 223 Bangladeshi nationals, 19 Rohingyas, and 20 whose identities remain unverified.

Additionally, the Bangladesh Coast Guard apprehended 78 individuals along the Satkhira border, including three Indian nationals by birth, bringing the total number of detainees to 340.

BGB officials have characterised these push-ins as "well-planned and despicable," asserting that the BSF is conducting them in remote, uninhabited areas to evade detection. Despite Bangladesh lodging formal protests and sending diplomatic notes to India, there has been little response from Delhi. In response, the BGB has intensified surveillance and patrols along the border to prevent further unauthorised entries.

The BGB has also indicated that, considering the circumstances, Bangladesh is contemplating reciprocal measures. These developments have raised concerns about border security and the need for effective bilateral communication to address the issue.​
 

BGB, locals foil BSF bid to push 750 people into Bangladesh along B'baria

Published :
May 16, 2025 14:52
Updated :
May 16, 2025 14:52

1747439616515.png


The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and locals have reportedly resisted an attempt by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to push 750 people into Bangladesh through the border in Brahmanbaria district early Friday.

A tense situation prevailed along the borders between the frontier guards overnight, said locals.

Sources said that Indian law enforcers have recently detained over 600 people in the state of Tripura and 148 in Rajasthan during a countrywide crackdown, with New Delhi claiming that most of them are Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, according to a UNB report.

The BSF reportedly took the detainees to a bordering area to push them into Bangladesh through the Singarbil border of Bijoynagar upazila of the district around 2:00 am.

Being informed, the BGB took position while locals also gathered along the border to resist the push-in.

Local union parishad member Mamun Chowdhury said the BSF was forced to go back when the BGB and locals took position along the border.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sadhana Tripura said, “The situation is now normal along the border. The push-in attempt by the BSF has been resisted by the BGB and locals. All remain on alert.”

Lt Col Jabbar Ahammed, commandant of the BGB-25 Battalion, said they took a cautious position after being informed about the possible push-in, and curious locals also gathered at the border.​
 

Home advisor downplays India's border ‘push-ins’
bdnews24.com
Published :
May 17, 2025 16:42
Updated :
May 17, 2025 16:42

1747525889613.png


Amid rising instances of people being driven into Bangladesh across various borders from India, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said these “push-ins” do not necessarily exhibit provocative intentions by India as such incidents were common during his tenure as chief of the country's border security force.

Jahangir made the remarks in response to questions from reporters after inaugurating the third floating border outpost (BOP) at the confluence of Roymongol River and Boyesing Canal under Shyamnagar Upazila in Satkhira on Saturday.

On Sunday, India's Border Security Force (BSF) pushed a group of 78 “Bengali-speaking” across the border into Bangladesh and left them on Mandarbaria shoal in Satkhira before they were rescued by the Forest Department and later handed over to the local police station by the Coast Guard.

The newly set up BOP was located near the Indian border, about 20km from the Mandarbaria shoal.

“It [push-in] does not seem provocative. Since they have done this before, long ago, when I was DG [director general] BDR [now BGB]."

Jahangir was the chief of the now defunct BDR from January 2003 to February 2006.

Outlining steps he took when similar incidents had taken place while he was in charge of the paramilitary force, he said: “We have told them that if any Bangladeshis are in India, send them back through proper channels. There’s always a proper channel. I’ve also sent Indians who were in Bangladesh back through proper channels.

“But we do not push anyone in.”

Jahangir said a letter will be written to India to seek a diplomatic solution to put a stop to these incidents. He also said that he had spoken to Khalilur Rahman, the chief advisor’s top aide who is also the foreign affairs and national security advisor, about the matter.

On why these incidents are taking place, he said: “A few days ago, you heard that there was a colony in Gujarat, like a Bengali colony, a Bengali slum. They [Indian authorities] tore it down. What’s happening now began after that.”

Since then, the BGB has reported at least 370 people being pushed across various points of the border into Bangladesh by the BSF.

Jahangir also said a “protest letter” has been sent regarding the "push-in" of UNHCR cardholders across the border. “Some Rohingya people are also coming in. They were in our country and had left. [India] is also sending over Rohingya refugees. So we have sent a protest letter.”

On whether any action will be taken against illegal Indian nationals in Bangladesh, he said: “I will not say that there are no illegal Indians in Bangladesh either, but I request you to let us know if there are any, so that we can send them back through proper channels."

Jahangir firmly maintained that no citizens of Bangladesh would be “pushed back”.

“We have no right to push back [Bangladeshi citizens]. And about the illegal Indians, we will not push them back. We will send them through the proper channels.”

EFFORTS TO PREVENT “PUSH-INS”

Also present at the inauguration ceremony was BGB Director General (DG) Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.

He said, "The areas where push-ins are mainly occurring are Beanibazar, Srimangal, Habiganj in Sylhet. Meanwhile, it is mainly happening in the shoal areas and remote places of Rowmari in Kurigram district, and to some extent in the uninhabited areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

"We are trying to prevent this. To be honest, there were some push-ins this morning too. Since our border is so expansive, it is not possible to guard every spot. That is why we have sought the help of the people and we are also taking the help of the Ansar."

The foreign ministry announced an “all-out effort” by the BGB at the border, he said, adding that flag meetings, protest letters and other actions are in progress as well.

Turning to the issue of involving the public in these measures, he said: "If the locals also keep watch on those near their border and inform our patrols about any potential push-ins, they can quickly respond."

He also said that their patrols and manpower have been boosted and sought “information support” from the public.

On whether militants or criminals could possibly enter the country during these incidents, Ashrafuzzaman said: "Nothing can be ruled out. Everything is possible from all sides. However, we are trying to ensure strong security so that no harm comes to our country."​
 

India’s push-in strategy
Mohammad Asaduzzaman 21 May, 2025, 00:00

1747790246127.png

The Department of Forest hands over a group of people to Bangladesh Coast Guard, allegedly pushed into the country by the Indian Border Security Force on May 10-11 through bordering Mandarbaria in Satkhira. | Focus Bangla photo

DESPITE deep ties between Bangladesh and India in the geopolitical landscape of South Asia, India’s approach to border management has often been aggressive, escalating tensions with its neighbours. Recently, a complex diplomatic conflict has emerged over ‘push-in’ incidents along the India-Bangladesh border, where Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) have been forcing people into Bangladeshi territory. This practice of pushing so-called undocumented Bangladeshis — and even Rohingyas and Indian nationals labelled as Bangladeshis — across the border reflects an aggressive aspect of India’s hegemonic stance. Is this merely a border security issue, or has it become a strategic political tool? The political motives behind India’s ‘push-in’ strategy, along with its diplomatic and humanitarian implications and the resulting challenges for Bangladesh, deserve scrutiny.

What is push-in and why is it concerning?

‘PUSH-IN’ refers to the forced repatriation of individuals into a country without following any legal or judicial process. What India perceives as a pushback is, from Bangladesh’s perspective, a push-in. According to international human rights and migration laws, this practice is controversial and considered unlawful. In the first half of May 2025 alone, around 300 individuals were reportedly pushed into Bangladesh by India — many of whom had been residing in Indian states like Gujarat and Rajasthan for years. Among them were Rohingyas and even Indian nationals. On the early morning of May 9, Indian authorities allegedly pushed 75 Bangladeshi Muslims and 3 Indian Muslims into Mandarbaria Char in the Sundarbans. This occurred amid heightened tensions following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, suggesting a deliberate act. India has employed this strategy previously along the borders of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. Recently, Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), stated that the BSF is systematically pushing Rohingya refugees and some Bangladeshi citizens into Bangladesh. Though India denies these allegations, the incidents are becoming increasingly alarming.

India’s strategic intent

INDIA’S push-in operations appear to be a calculated political and strategic pressure tactic. In the context of implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the issue of ‘illegal Bangladeshi immigrants’ continues to be politically weaponised. The CAA of 2019 offers citizenship to persecuted minorities from three Muslim-majority countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan — who entered India before December 31, 2014. This law carries an implicit assumption that minorities in these countries are systematically oppressed, which undermines India’s secular character. The BJP government uses such tools to stoke nationalist sentiments. Through this push-in strategy, India may be subtly pressuring Bangladesh to ‘take back’ alleged undocumented Bangladeshis. However, under international law, no state can be forced to accept individuals against its will. Yet India continues to exert such pressure through indirect means.

BJP’s nationalist narrative and Bangladesh’s position

THE BJP and its Hindutva-aligned groups frequently raise the alarm over alleged illegal Muslim infiltration from Bangladesh, using it as a political device. The term ‘Bangladeshi infiltrator’ is portrayed as a serious social and cultural threat. Through this narrative, the government presents itself as taking a strong stance, where ‘patriotism’ is equated with strict border control and zero tolerance for infiltration. Consequently, the push-in policy becomes a tool for shaping public opinion. So far, Bangladesh has maintained a cautious and restrained stance. Each time such incidents occur, formal protests are lodged through the BGB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, India typically denies any direct involvement and attempts to deflect blame. For Bangladesh, this is not just a humanitarian concern — it is also a diplomatic and national security challenge. Bangladesh is already burdened by international pressure and financial costs due to the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis. India’s push-in strategy only adds to the strain, triggering security threats in border areas and growing resentment among local communities.

Violation of international law

ACCORDING to the UN Refugee Convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international migration policies, it is illegal to return refugees or asylum seekers without proper legal process forcibly. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol prohibit such actions under the principle of non-refoulement. Push-backs typically deny individuals the opportunity to apply for asylum, violating their right to due process as guaranteed under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 14 of the UDHR specifically states that everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum in another country. Moreover, under the Convention Against Torture, no individual may be returned to a country where they risk torture. The forced repatriation of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh further undermines India’s human rights record in the eyes of the international community. Rohingyas who fled Myanmar are not Bangladeshi citizens; if India wishes to return them, it should do so to Myanmar, not impose the burden on Bangladesh.

Consequences and possible solutions

IF THIS situation continues, it could seriously damage Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. Prolonged tensions may escalate border conflicts and undermine regional cooperation on migration management, weakening South Asia’s image in global forums. What should be done? Both countries must pursue resolution through bilateral dialogue. Establishing a joint forum on migration and refugee issues could lead to a shared framework. Bangladesh could also raise the matter at the United Nations, especially regarding the forced relocation of Rohingya refugees. Domestically, Bangladesh must ensure strong border surveillance and accurate verification of identities through agencies like the BGB and the national ID/passport authority. Moreover, India should be held accountable to uphold international standards. A bilateral agreement is needed that focuses on shared humanitarian values and the rights of border communities, treating migration not as a political weapon but as a human issue.

Finally, India’s push-in operations are not merely border control measures; they represent a strategic manoeuvre in South Asia’s evolving geopolitical game. These actions serve as tools for nationalist politics on one hand, while simultaneously violating human rights and diplomatic norms on the other. This not only affects the physical border but also erodes the foundation of trust between the two countries. For Bangladesh, this is a strategic challenge requiring visionary foreign policy, internal cohesion, and global support. A shared approach rooted in humanity, not political expediency, must guide future border policies between the two nations.

Dr Mohammad Asaduzzaman is a professor of linguistics at the University of Dhaka and director general of International Mother Language Institute.​
 

Indian citizens must be taken back: Touhid Hossain
Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 21 May 2025, 22: 06

1747870482736.png

Foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain Prothom Alo file photo

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that it is not clear yet on whether the people who have recently been 'pushed in' (forcibly sent) from India to Bangladesh will be “pushed back” (forcibly returned).

However, those who are proven to be Indian citizens must be taken back, he added.

The foreign adviser made these remarks in response to journalists' questions at the foreign ministry on Wednesday afternoon.

When asked whether the Indian citizens or Rohingyas pushed into Bangladesh would be pushed back, the adviser said, “So far, I have no clear decision on this matter. We generally do not carry out pushbacks. However, those who are proven to be Indian citizens must be taken back.”

Asked whether Bangladesh communicated with India to stop the push-ins, he said, “We are maintaining communication with Delhi and trying to ensure that nothing happens outside the rules.”

When asked how India responded, Touhid Hossain said, “We do not expect a response within a day. They have stated their position to some extent. We have explained our position to them—we are making it clear that such push-ins are not acceptable. We have told them that we have a standard operating procedure which we’ll follow. They have given us a list, and we are verifying those lists through the home ministry.”

Asked about reviewing the agreements signed with India, the adviser said, “Several minor agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed over time and those were shared with you as they happened. According to those agreements, they must be cancelled with mutual consent, or there may be provisions allowing cancellation if one party objects. We haven’t canceled any of them. We actually want everything to move forward according to the rules.”

The adviser mentioned that they are trying to identify Bangladesh's stance on the agreements with India and pinpoint where the problems lie. He stated that these issues would be discussed with India at the appropriate time.

When asked whether India is violating the rules, adviser Touhid Hossain responded, “Rules can be interpreted in many ways—sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. Altogether, we are trying to move forward accordingly. No one admits that they are violating the rules.”

In response to a question about whether there has been any communication with India regarding the halt in ready-made garment exports through Indian land ports, the adviser said that a letter is being sent about the matter, and the commerce adviser is handling it.​
 

Members Online

Latest Posts

Latest Posts