Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed in 21 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, through the Joydharbhanga Borobari border in Panchagarh’s Sadar upazila early Thursday.

According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the incident took place around 4am near sub-pillar No. 10 of main pillar 757 in Haribhanga Union under the jurisdiction of Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion.

Of the 21 individuals, six are women, two are men, and 13 are children. A patrol team of Joydharbhanga BOP detained them shortly after they entered Bangladesh. All were identified as Bangladeshi nationals.

Lt Col Sheikh Mohammad Badrudoza, commanding officer of Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion, confirmed the matter.

During primary interrogation, the detainees said they had been working illegally in Gujarat, India, for a long time. 

On May 21, Indian police detained them and flew them to Kolkata, from where they were taken by bus and handed over to BSF’s 93 Battalion at Tiyapara Camp. Later, they were pushed in through the Tiyapara-Borobari border gate.

BGB is preparing to file a case under the Passport Act with Panchagarh Sadar Police Station.

MSK/