BSF takes back 17 people from Naogaon border after 19-hour standoff

The group spends hours exposed to the elements before the situation changes

Seventeen people, including women and children, who had remained at the zero line along the Sapahar border in Naogaon have been taken back by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

The group was removed around 1am on Saturday, nearly 19 hours after an alleged attempt to push them into Bangladesh, said Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commander of BGB Battalion-16.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Media Cell issued a statement on the development on Saturday morning.

Mahbub Alam, a resident of Kalmudanga village who witnessed the incident, said: “BGB members were guarding the 17 people. Even at 11pm, while I was loading paddy onto my tractor, they were still there. Later, BSF members dragged them back into India.”

He added that the group did not appear willing to leave.

“They were crying as the BSF took them away. Hearing their cries, we moved closer, but BSF members stopped us and left with them.”

Earlier, around 7:30am on Friday, members of the BSF’s Pannachhara Camp allegedly attempted to push 17 people into Bangladesh through border pillar 238/MP at the Hapania frontier.

The group comprised six men, six women and five children.

BGB personnel took a firm stance after receiving the information, the statement said, adding that the push-in attempt continued for nearly 19 hours but was thwarted with support from locals.

Lt Col Ariful said: “Patrols were increased after we received the information. On humanitarian grounds, they were initially allowed to remain at the zero line, but after evening they were sent back to no man’s land.

“Around 1am, BSF members switched off the border lights. It appears they failed in their push-in attempt and took the group back into India.”