BGB blocks BSF’s effort to 'push in' 10 through Panchagarh border

A flag meeting between the two border forces ends without any decision

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has thwarted an attempt by its Indian counterpart to push 10 people, including women and children, through the Panchagarh Sadar Upazila border.

As a flag meeting with the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday ended without any decision, the 10 individuals have been staying on the zero line for more than 36 hours.

Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion chief Lt Col Sirajul Islam said the push-in effort was made through the Dakshin Pradhanpara border of Haribhasa Union early Friday morning.

Since then, the 10 people have been staying under the open sky on the zero line, he said.

Sirajul said, “On Friday, a flag meeting was held at the company commander level when the BSF refused to take them back.

“We’ve also warned them that illegal push-ins will not be accepted in any way,” he added.

The two forces met again on Saturday, but failed to reach a consensus.

The BGB official said, “Illegal ‘push-ins’ will not be accepted in any way. If they are citizens of Bangladesh, they will have to be sent back following international law and the formal process.”