BSF takes back 28, including women and children, from Chapainawabganj border strip

Families endure prolonged uncertainty amid shifting border arrangements

The Border Security Force (BSF) has taken back 28 people who had been staying at the zero line along the Banglabari border in Chapainawabganj’s Gomostapur Upazila

They had remained stranded there for two days under the open sky.

The development occurred late Friday night, said Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam, commander of Naogaon Battalion-16 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

He said the 28 individuals were positioned around 45m inside Indian territory from the zero line.

“At present, no movement or presence of them is visible within 137 metres of the border,” he added.

Earlier on Jun 4, the BSF had attempted to push the group into Bangladesh through the Banglabari border. The group included 12 men, 10 women and six children.

However, the attempt was foiled due to the alert stance and swift action of the BGB.

Following that, the group remained on the Indian side of the zero line for two days, reportedly under open sky and heavy rain, said Banglabari Union Panel Chairman Saddam Hossain.

Lt Col Ariful said border monitoring is continuing.

“Maximum vigilance is being maintained to prevent any untoward situation along the frontier,” he said.