Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh has expressed serious concern and urged India to take measures to stop the push-ins immedi-ately; stressing that such push-ins without due process would undermine mutual understanding between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter on May 8 seeking due process and urging India to follow established mechanisms, a source said.
Bangladesh said such push-ins fuel negative public sentiment and it would only accept those through proper channels if they are confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens.
Bangladesh also highlighted the importance of peace and stability along the border and noted that such push-ins are unacceptable and should be avoided.
Referring to reported push-ins from India, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on May 7 said any push-ins should be done in a formal channel and Bangladesh’s position is to welcome only its citi-zens with sufficient proof.
“This needs to be done in a formal channel,” he said when a journalist wanted to know his comments referring to media reports.
“We are examining each case separately. Our decision is we will receive only if there is proof that they are Bangladeshi citizens,” he added.
Khalilur Rahman said that such push-ins are not the right way emphasizing on formal channels.