Staff Reporter:
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 31 people, including 14 Rohingyas, into Bangladesh through two border points in Sylhet’s Jaintapur upazila, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
BGB sources said 14 Rohingya nationals were pushed in through the Lalakhal Bagchhara area of Jaintapur around 7:45pm on Thursday, while 17 Bangladeshi nationals were pushed in through the Kendri village area of the same upazila around 6:30am on Friday.
Members of the 19 BGB detained the 14 Rohingyas after they were found inside Bangladesh. During preliminary questioning, they confirmed themselves as forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMN). Among them are four men, four women, and six male children.
India claims they had fled Rohingya refugee camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya about five to six years ago and entered India, allegations that could be verified independently.
In a separate incident, BSF pushed in 17 Bangladeshi citizens through the Khandi village border on Friday morning. According to 48 BGB, the group includes five men, five women, and seven children — all residents of Kurigram district.
Lt Col Mohammad Nazmul Haque, Commanding Officer of 48 BGB, said legal action is being taken against the 17 detained Bangladeshi nationals, who have been handed over to Jaintapur Model Police Station.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Mohammad Zubayer Anwar, Commanding Officer of 19 BGB, confirmed that the 14 Rohingyas have also been handed over to Jaintapur Model Police Station after collecting their identities and relevant details for legal proceedings.
