The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has failed in its attempt to push 17 people, including women, men and children, into Bangladesh in the Sapahar border area of Naogaon. Later, they were taken back inside India. 

 

On Friday (June 5) at around 2 am, BSF members took the 17 people back to India.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commander of Naogaon 16 BGB Battalion, confirmed the matter on Saturday (June 6) morning.

Earlier, on Friday morning around 7:30 am, members of India's Pannachara BSF camp tried to force 17 people to enter Bangladesh through the 238/MP border pillar at the Hapaniya border in Sapahar upazila. The attempt continued for about 19 hours. After receiving the information, the BGB took a strict stand at the spot. Locals said that the push-in attempt failed due to the strong stance of the BGB.

Mahbub Alam, a tractor driver from Kalmudanga village, who witnessed the incident, said, "The 17 people were guarded by BGB members. I was loading paddy on the tractor around 11 pm, when the BGB members were still there. Later, the BSF members dragged them towards India. They did not want to go and were crying. Hearing their cries, the BSF members stopped us when we moved forward. Such a role of the BGB really deserves praise."

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commander of Naogaon 16 BGB Battalion, said, "After receiving the news, BGB patrols in the border area were strengthened. Initially, they were allowed to stay in the Zero Line area for humanitarian reasons, but were sent to No Man's Land after evening. At around 1 am, the BSF switched off the lights on the border. It is believed that they withdrew from the push-in attempt in the dark of night and took the people back to India. Currently, BGB patrols in the area are more strengthened."

According to BGB sources, out of the 17 people who attempted push-in, there are 6 men, 6 women and 5 children. However, no information has been confirmed yet whether they are Bangladeshi or Indian citizens.