[🇧🇩] Terrorist BSF is pushing Indian Nationals into Bangladesh

[Saif]

BSF’S PUSH-IN BIDS: Families spend days in sun, rain without food

Scenes of people passing days in no-man’s-land of the Bangladesh-Indian border over the past few days reveal a looming humanitarian crisis fuelled by relentless push-in attempts by the Indian Border Security Force.

www.newagebd.net

BSF’S PUSH-IN BIDS: Families spend days in sun, rain without food

BGB signs MoU with Ansar and VDP to patrol borders

Staff Correspondent 09 June, 2026, 00:22

People are left stranded in no-man’s-land as Indian Border Security Force attempts to push people into Bangladesh along the Bangladesh-India border at Haripur in Thakurgaon on Monday. | New Age photo

Scenes of people passing days in no-man’s-land of the Bangladesh-Indian border over the past few days reveal a looming humanitarian crisis fuelled by relentless push-in attempts by the Indian Border Security Force.

In the early hours of Monday, the BSF took back 10 individuals from the zero line near Panchagarh along India after leaving them there for about 70 hours, without any food and shelter.

New Age Correspondent in Panchagrah reported that the group had to take shelter in croplands along border since Friday morning under the open sky amid scorching heat, rain and rough weather as the BGB halted the illegal push-in.

‘BSF took them back at about 2:30am on Monday after consultation with us,’ BGB-56 Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Md Sirajul Islam said.

Similar incidents repeated across the border, stretching from Bangladesh’s north to southwest, as the BSF looked for a chance to push the people into Bangladesh.

‘It is really inhuman and sad that people had to stay in such a situation for two or three days under open sky without food and defying rough weather. India should follow diplomatic channel as a responsible country, if any Bangladeshi is staying illegally,’ Dhaka University’s Peace and Conflict Studies department associate professor Muhammad Sazzad Hossain Siddiqui told New Age.

The BSF arbitrarily identified them as Bangladeshi citizens, without the support of any documents and bypassed the law of their own country that requires verification of identities of individuals before deportation.

Different media reports and international human rights bodies said that Indian Muslims were being deported to Bangladesh through push-ins illegally.

BGB officials said that it identified India pushed 126 Indian people into Bangladesh since May 7, 2025 and the BGB pushed them back to India.

Women and children are among the individuals who spent hours under the scorching summer sun and then got drenched in intermittent rains brought by the arrival of the monsoon.

On Monday morning, the Indian BSF took back 11 people, including four women and four children, who were staying at the zero line along the Moshalgaon border under Haripur upazila in Thakurgaon district about 48 hours after push-in attempt, said BGB-42 Battalion in Dinajpur commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan.

The border guards of the two neighbouring countries faced off at many points, with BGB resisting BSF’s attempts to push people into Bangladesh – a recurrent phenomenon after India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s landslide election victory in the West Bengal in early May.

Bangladesh had taken clear stance that it would not allow anyone to push into Bangladesh and India had to follow the legal channel with national identity verification.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the BGB and the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party under which Ansar members were deployed in 11 bordering districts to ensure border security, combating cross-border crimes and protecting sovereignty.

The districts are Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Jaipurhat, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Satkhira, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Jamalpur and Khagrachhari, said an Ansar press release issued on Monday evening.

On June 1, BSF attempted to push 100 people into Bangladesh near Benapole Land Port along India and the attempt failed due to BGB obstruction and 10 people, including women and children were stranded in the no-man’s-land for over 48 hours before they were took back on June 3.

BGB headquarters deputy director general (Media) Colonel Abul Hasnat Mohamamd Mahmud Azam said that leaving people, including women and children, for days in the no-man’s-land under the open sky was an inhuman act by the Indian authorities or nothing else.

‘People are staying without having food and sanitation. It cannot be accepted from a responsible force like BSF,’ he added.

The attempts of the Indian BSF to push people into Bangladesh continued as the BGB and local people foiled two more push-in attempts in Lalmonirhat and Noagaon districts between Sunday night and early Monday.

Members of BGB and Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party and villagers thwarted an alleged attempt by India’s BSF to push 15–20 people into Bangladesh through the Porsha border in Naogaon district, New Age Staff Correspondent in Rajshahi reported.

According to BGB and local villagers, BSF personnel allegedly attempted to push a group of 15 to 20 people into Bangladesh at around 11pm on Sunday night through to the Nitpur border outpost at around 11pm.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam, commanding officer of BGB-16 Battalion, said that BSF personnel had tried to push some people into Bangladesh on Sunday night.

‘The attempt was foiled because of the firm position taken by BGB, Ansar members and local residents. No one will be allowed to enter Bangladesh illegally,’ he said.

New Age Correspondent in Lalmonirhat quoting the BGB-15 Battalion in Lalmonirhat commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam said that Indian BSF tried to push 70-80 illegally through Aditmari, Durgapur and Patgram in Lalmonirhat early Monday by turning off the lights of the barbed wire fence.

BGB and villagers resistance foiled the BSF’s attempt and they were now stranded in the no-man’s-land but the BGB and villagers took strong position to prevent push-ins, according to the BGB.

BGB, local people and the members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party had foiled over the past few days.

West Bengal, India chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, speaking in the capital Kolkata on Sunday, said nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi citizens had been deported across the border in the past one month, according to an Agence-Franse-Press report.

According to New Age statistics, 2,463 people have been pushed into Bangladesh by Indian authorities, mostly the BSF, from May 7, 2025 to May 8, 2026.

Of them, at least 223 were Rohingyas, including 50 registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in India.

But BGB headquarters data reveal that India pushed 2,344 people, including 126 Indian nationals, into Bangladesh between May 7, 2025 and January 26, 2026.

Meanwhile, 45 people -- 17 at a border point in Naogaon early Friday and 28 at another in Chapainawabganj early Thursday -- were left stranded in the no-man’s-land after the BGB sent them back to India immediately following their entry into Bangladesh territory.

They were then taken to the Indian side on Saturday.

According to Bangladesh authorities, Bangladesh shares 4,156-kilometre-long border with India, of which some 180 kilometres fall on different water bodies and 79 kilometres on the Sundarban.

Bangladesh government officials said that pushing people into Bangladesh illegally was an Indian BJP government’s political stance but Dhaka urged New Delhi to follow legal procedure.​

 

[Bilal9]

The BSF arbitrarily identified them as Bangladeshi citizens, without the support of any documents and bypassed the law of their own country that requires verification of identities of individuals before deportation.

First I heard that there are 5 crore Bangladeshis living in India, then it became 50 lakh, then it became 5 lakh.

Now I hear 50,000 Bangladeshis, among which 5000 are being sent back.

All the interviews I saw - they don't have Bangladeshi Bengali accents.

They speak in perfect West Bengal Shantipuri accent. Undoubtably these are Indian Muslims.

This is beyond ridiculous.

Not one person will be allowed into Bangladesh without valid papers, either Muslim or even Hindu.

Keep your bhukhey nangey lazy Indians in India - we don't want them.

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh and India present their stance on border ‘push-ins’

Bangladesh and India once again took different positions on the ongoing ‘push-in’ attempts by India at the director general-level talks, between the border forces of the two countries in New Delhi. While Bangladesh termed such attempts illegal, inhumane and a violation of international law...

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh and India present their stance on border ‘push-ins’​

• Bangladesh terms the unilateral ‘push-in’ of individuals across the border as illegal, a violation of human rights, and a breach of international law​
• ​
• India maintains that it is repatriating illegal foreigners in accordance with its domestic laws and established bilateral procedures.​
• ​
• Beyond the ‘push-in’ issue, the discussions also focused on border killings, smuggling, and the construction of unauthorised infrastructure.​

Diplomatic Correspondent
&
Special Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 10 Jun 2026, 11: 31

Officials pose for a photograph as the 57th BGB-BSF DG level meeting going on in New Delhi, India. The photo is taken on 9 June 2026 Facebook page of BSF

Bangladesh and India once again took different positions on the ongoing ‘push-in’ attempts by India at the director general-level talks, between the border forces of the two countries in New Delhi. While Bangladesh termed such attempts illegal, inhumane and a violation of international law, India maintained that it is repatriating illegal foreigners according to its domestic laws and established procedures.

The main discussions took place on Tuesday, the second day of the 57th BGB-BSF Director General-level conference. Alongside the push-in issue, the meeting prioritised taking effective measures to stop the killing, injuring and torture of unarmed Bangladeshi citizens at the border. Both sides presented their respective positions on various border-related issues.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui presented Bangladesh’s stance in a written statement during the four-day conference. BSF Director General Praveen Kumar explained India’s position in his remarks.

According to the schedule, both sides will discuss the finalisation of the Joint Record of Discussions (JRD) on Wednesday. The conference is expected to conclude on Thursday with a joint press conference.

According to BGB headquarters data, between 7 May 2025 and 26 January this year, the BSF pushed 2,479 people into Bangladesh over eight months. Among them, 120 were Indian nationals. However, attempts at push-ins along the border increased again from May this year.

This was the first meeting between the chiefs of the two border forces since the BJP came to power in West Bengal. Following the change in government in May, the BJP administration led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched the ‘detect, delete and deport’ or ‘Three-D’ campaign.

The drive is reportedly aimed at so-called Bangladeshi nationals living in the state without valid documents. Suvendu Adhikari has already claimed in the media that at least 4,880 “infiltrators” have been sent back to Bangladesh.

Stances on the ‘push-in’ issue

According to diplomatic sources in New Delhi, the heads of the BGB and BSF outlined their respective positions on the ‘push-in’ issue during yesterday's meeting.

Sources said the BSF director general’s remarks mirrored the stance held by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs over the past year. India maintained that action regarding illegal foreigners, including Bangladeshi nationals, is being taken in accordance with domestic laws and procedures. They asserted that illegal individuals from Bangladesh are being repatriated by following both Indian laws and the existing bilateral mechanisms between the two countries.

Justifying the handover of over 2,800 Bangladeshis to the BGB, the BSF claimed that the Indian border force is operating strictly within established procedures.

As always, the BSF once again raised the issue of handing over lists of illegal individuals to Bangladesh for repatriation. They alleged that once a list is provided to Bangladesh, the process gets stuck in prolonged delays. In this context, the issue of providing such lists over the past five years was also brought up.

In response, the BGB strongly articulated why ‘push-ins’ are illegal. Bangladesh argued that these actions violate human rights and humanitarian procedures and fail to follow existing international law.

Bangladesh maintained that it remains committed to bringing back its citizens from any country, including India, once their citizenship is verified. However, this must be done through proper legal channels, respecting human rights and international humanitarian standards.

Therefore, there is no scope for unilaterally forcing people across the border. Such acts are illegal. Bangladesh also raised serious questions regarding the attempt to push people across the border at night.

Bangladesh also addressed the BSF's allegations of delays in the verification process, specifically highlighting the steps and measures taken by Dhaka since May last year to expedite the matter.

The meeting’s agenda also included curbing the smuggling of drugs, weapons and other prohibited goods from India to Bangladesh, preventing human trafficking, ending border violations and addressing the construction of unauthorised infrastructure, such as barbed-wire fences, within 150 yards of the international border.

Advisor hopes for swift resolution

Responding to a question regarding border push-ins during a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Zahed Ur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Advisor to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, noted that ‘push-ins’ were a significant issue during the West Bengal elections.

While acknowledging that this is an internal political matter for India, the advisor admitted it has placed some pressure on Bangladesh.

“I don’t believe the Indian government is doing this to create tension with Bangladesh,” the advisor said. “The new government that was elected to power in West Bengal had certain election promises. They have their own politics and this is an expression of that.”

The advisor expressed strong belief that the new governments in both Bangladesh and India are eager to move past the diplomatic friction seen during the Muhammad Yunus-led administration following the events of 5 August. Having had some discussions himself, he believes both nations are committed to a fresh start.

He concluded by saying that although there is an initial crisis, he expects a swift resolution.​

 

[Saif]

Scenes of humanitarian crisis now unfolding at the border

In almost every part of the world, aggressive nationalism is now valued. A significant component of this ideology is keeping the ''other'' in distress. This is the magic of its popularity in many regions. Bangladesh's international borders have fallen under the grip of this aggressive...

en.prothomalo.com

Scenes of humanitarian crisis now unfolding at the border

Altaf Parvez

In almost every part of the world, aggressive nationalism is now valued. A significant component of this ideology is keeping the ''other'' in distress. This is the magic of its popularity in many regions. Bangladesh's international borders have fallen under the grip of this aggressive nationalism.

For a long time, Burmese nationalism has kept Bangladesh in a state of near-perpetual unrest on its southern border. In 2017, they pushed almost a million people. Even after that, Rohingyas, Mros, and Khumis continue to come from that side. Shortly, it will be the ninth anniversary of the major Rohingya wave. Meanwhile, a human wave has begun from the Indian side of the border.

Push-in issues are not new for Bangladesh. However, it can be said that a push-in tsunami has started as soon as the new government took office. In the last two weeks, attempts have been made to push people of various ages across nearly ten places every 24 hours. Bangladesh is keeping those pushed men, women, and children stranded at the zero line.

Across miles and miles of the border, there is now a scene of humanitarian disaster. These people are burning and soaking in the harshness of summer, while politicians and the media on both sides witness this. Both states are also mobilizing local people in support of their initiatives along the border. As a result, a semi-belligerent situation has arisen at various spots along the border.

When the Rohingyas were expelled from Arakan, the ''international conscience'' had become quite vocal; however, nothing similar is evident this time. Even those who were vociferous in urging Bangladesh to open its borders for the Rohingyas are absent now.

For nearly three decades, India’s administration has intermittently carried out such push-in programmes. During Sheikh Hasina's regime, this programme was somewhat suspended or stopped. Sometimes, seeing such initiatives halted or suspended, it is assumed that it is a sort of political maneuver by the Indian rulers. This time, for particular reasons, that move is advancing with a more rhythmic force.

With the establishment of governments of the same ideology at the centre and in West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam, the push-in has now taken a coordinated form. Politicians and media associated with the RSS-BJP family have begun newly creating public opinion in favour of this move. Indians are being convinced that the country will be safer if the people exposed to sun and rain at the zero point are taken into Bangladesh. These people are seen as obstacles on India’s path to development.

According to the Sangh Parivar, those being pushed in are ''illegal Bangladeshis’ and ‘security threats. '' The problem is that among those who were successfully pushed into Bangladesh in recent times, many were Indian citizens. Due to poverty, Bengali language, and Muslim identity, many fell into the push-in mass programme. But on the other hand, the theoreticians of the push-in programme claim that only ''selected insects'' are being thrown away. That is, those who fall victim to the push-in are likened to ''pests, '' and Bangladesh is the place to throw them. The Indian administration often boasts that it assisted in Bangladesh's liberation war, which is not untrue. Naturally, questions arise as to why there is a sudden surge of tension in India's Bangladesh policy.

Geopolitical commentators are speculating answers to this question. Some say the push-in has begun in a new format as part of conveying a special political message or applying pressure. What is that ''message''? Perhaps Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Kholilur Rahman knows it. He must have informed the government too. Ordinary Bangladeshis know nothing about this. They only see emerging provocations and terror at the border.

India always considers Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh as part of its self-declared security zone. As part of this, they keep an eye on Bangladesh’s political situation, foreign policy, military and economic measures.

They have preferences and opinions on all such matters involving Bangladesh. Some of these opinions they express explicitly, while some they imply indirectly. Bangladesh understands some, pretends not to understand others, and ignores a few.

Despite being India's small neighbour, Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign country. Which political ideology’s government will be in power in Bangladesh is a matter for the people of Bangladesh to decide, just as who forms the government at India's centre and states is a choice for India’s citizens. Leaders of both countries should be ready to work with the ruling parties of any ideology in the other country. Therefore, if the push-in resumes as soon as the BNP government comes to power after it was halted, it will certainly be considered poor diplomacy on India's part. Because this will be seen as an attempt to disrupt the nascent journey of democracy in Bangladesh. It will also increase counter-nationalistic extremism here.

Some geopolitical commentators also mention the ''Teesta Mega Plan’ as a backdrop to the new wave of push-ins. The rightful share of the Teesta River water for Bangladesh is recognised by the Indians. Both countries were on the verge of signing an agreement. Then it was said that Delhi wants to give the water, but the deal is stalled due to Mamata Banerjee’s objections. But how long will Bangladesh wait?

If India does not release water in the inter-river, then Bangladesh has two alternatives: going to the United Nations or seeking solutions through infrastructural means.

The government of Bangladesh is pursuing the latter path. Whether the lack of water can be addressed infrastructurally in the Teesta's downstream is a highly debated issue. Environmentalists are talking about these matters. If India objects to such a plan and chooses the push-in route by raising objections to Bangladesh’s tech-reliant solutions for water with China’s friendship, how just, proper, or good-neighbourly would that be?

Even if Bangladesh intends to enhance its economic and military capabilities through agreements with other countries, India’s objections should not be acceptable. India continuously strengthens ties with Israel and undertakes various military projects, which is not pleasant for Bangladesh as a Muslim-majority country. India also has extensive and broad relationships with China in numerous economic matters. Therefore, there should be no rationale for Indian objections to Bangladesh’s desire to build relations with any country on economic, technical, or military issues.

At one time, the Indian government strongly advocated a ''Neighbour First’ foreign policy. Surely, this policy values the emotions, needs, and rights of the neighbours. Is the ongoing widespread push-in, right after a new government takes office in Bangladesh, in alignment with that policy?

The Bangladesh government can take various paths now. Firstly, it can bring the inhumane conditions of the people, who are victims of the push-ins, to the attention of the international community. It can also attract the attention of international human rights organisations. Simultaneously, it can request a list of the so-called undocumented Bangladeshis from the Indian government and take steps based on investigations of that list. If any Indian citizen is pushed this way under the guise of a push-in, that should also be highlighted to the international community.

The border situation is quite tense at the moment, and Bangladesh has already deployed the highest number of guards in its history at the border. Despite any additional provocations from the Indian side, refraining from responding will be a sign of prudent intelligence, although the border still needs to be made more secure.

Considering that the crisis India is creating at the border is a humanitarian one, Bangladesh needs to move forward and tackle this situation. This is the time for Bangladesh to display its diplomatic skills.

Pushing relationships to the zero line is a risky gamble from India’s side. Aggressive nationalism loves to gamble, while democracy stakes its claim on the power of dialogue and negotiation.

#Altaf Parvez is a researcher on South Asian history.​