Tensions have surfaced at multiple points along the India-Bangladesh border following separate incidents involving alleged pushback attempts and disputes over the nationality of detained individuals.
Pushback disputes trigger border tensions
In the latest development, Bangladesh border authorities claimed they thwarted attempts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 34 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh through several border points along the Lalmonirhat-Cooch Behar frontier.
Bangladesh alleges pushback along frontier
According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the incidents occurred in the Aditmari, Hatibandha, and Patgram sectors of Lalmonirhat district, adjacent to the Sitai, Dinhata, and Mekhliganj areas of West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district. BGB officials alleged that their personnel, assisted by residents, prevented the groups from entering Bangladesh and forced them to remain in the border’s zero-line area.
BGB seeks meetings with BSF
BGB said 12 people were detected near the Dighaltari and Durgapur border sectors opposite the Sitai-Dinhata belt, while another 12 were stopped near Fakirpara opposite Mekhliganj. A further 10 people were allegedly prevented from crossing through the Jhalangi pocket border area, also opposite the Mekhliganj sector. Bangladeshi authorities claimed the groups included women and children carrying luggage.
The BGB said it sought flag meetings with the BSF following the incidents, while local officials stated that border personnel remain on high alert amid the ongoing situation.
Meghalaya incident sparks fresh concerns
Meanwhile, a separate incident was reported from Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills district, where a man detained by the BSF on suspicion of illegally entering India from Bangladesh was allegedly refused entry after being pushed back across the border.
The incident occurred in the Nandir Char sector near Mahendraganj. According to sources, after being sent back as part of a pushback exercise, the man was allegedly not accepted by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) or residents, leaving him stranded beyond the border fencing.
Nationality dispute raises new questions
Sources familiar with the matter claimed that the individual admitted to being a Bangladeshi national. However, Bangladeshi authorities and residents reportedly declined to take custody of him, creating uncertainty over his status and triggering tension in the border sector.
Security personnel on both sides have since been closely monitoring the situation. Several videos purportedly linked to the incident have surfaced on social media, though their authenticity could not be independently verified.
No official statement issued yet
Neither the BSF nor the BGB had issued an official statement on the Meghalaya incident at the time of filing this report. The developments come amid continuing efforts by India and Bangladesh to address illegal cross-border movement and streamline repatriation procedures along the international border.
