‘Punish us, but save us’: Families ‘pushed in’ by BSF ‘plead for help

Nine people including children and women have been on the zero line near Kurigram’s Rowmari since Sunday morning

“I’ve made a big mistake in my life, which I’ll not repeat if alive. Save me. If we’re wrong, punish us - but still save us.”

The desperate pleas came from a man who identified himself as Belal Hossain on Tuesday afternoon.

He has been stranded on the zero line along the Goytapara border in Kurigram’s Rowmari Upazila after what Bangladeshi officials described as a failed attempt by India’s Border Security Force, or BSF, to push him and others into Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters, Belal said he had spent three days under the open sky with his wife and two children in what he described as “inhumane conditions”.

“We are suffering terribly with our small children. There is no water and no toilet,” he said.

He said both children had fallen ill in the scorching midday heat.

Lt Col Hasanur Rahman, commander of the Jamalpur-35 BGB Battalion, said the matter was being discussed at a “higher level” and efforts were under way to resolve it quickly.

According to local accounts, the BSF pushed six people towards Bangladesh through the Bangshirchar-Battala border and three others through the Bhandurchar border on Sunday morning.

The Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, and local residents stopped the alleged push-in after a series of chases and counter-chases.

Since then, the nine people — including women and children — have remained stranded on the zero line between the two countries.

Sumi Aktar, one of those stuck there, said she had a six-month-old infant and a four-year-old child with her.

“They are crying because we cannot give them anything to eat,” she said, adding that local residents had given them biscuits and bread.

Asked how they had gone to India, Sumi said they had crossed the Sylhet border illegally with their parents 27 days earlier in search of work.

Once in India, she said, they were detained.

The stranded group claim to be residents of Bhaluka Upazila in Mymensingh.

Sona Miah, a member of Shoulmari Union Council, warned that the group faced serious danger, especially at night, because of snakes, insects and mosquitoes.

“The BSF is not taking them back,” he said. “If there is no solution, these children could be in great danger.”

Havildar Masud Rana of the Goytapara border outpost said BGB personnel remained vigilant along the border, with local residents assisting them.