Kolkata, June 9: After being stranded for nearly two days at the India-Bangladesh border, ten Bangladeshi citizens were brought back to a holding center in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, on Monday. They allege that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented their entry into their home country.
According to sources, these individuals had been attempting to return to Bangladesh near the zero line of the border. However, during their efforts to cross, BGB personnel reportedly denied them entry.
After enduring extreme heat and rain while waiting at the zero line, the Border Security Force (BSF) returned them to the Kotwali police station on Monday. Subsequently, the police transferred all ten individuals to a holding center located at the Jalpaiguri Regional Training Center.
Reports indicate that these citizens were stuck in the Jaipur zero point area of the India-Bangladesh border. Despite being Bangladeshi nationals, they were not allowed to enter their own country.
Among those brought to the holding center were Mohammad Abdul Salam (38) from Benapole in Jessore district, his wife Yasmeen (30), and their six-year-old son Mohammad Irfan Islam. Others included Mehndi Hasan (31) from Kushtia district, Shamsul Alam (46) from the Kanopally area of Chittagong, his wife Taslima Akhtar (30), and their children Mohammad Shaheen (10) and Sahima Akhtar (10). Additionally, Osman from Satkhira district and Mohammad Munna from Khulna district were also taken to the holding center by the BSF’s 39th Battalion.
According to Kotwali police officials, all ten Bangladeshi citizens will remain at the holding center until legal processes are completed, after which they will be sent back to Bangladesh.
Reports suggest that these individuals had allegedly entered India illegally and were residing in various parts of the country. Following a recent change in power in West Bengal, the state government has adopted a strict stance against illegal immigrants, leading to an increase in the number of people attempting to return to Bangladesh.
However, it is alleged that some of these individuals faced obstacles from the BGB during their return. Sources indicate that the BSF initially took these citizens to the Berubari border for repatriation. Yet, the 56th Battalion of the BGB, responsible for border security in Panchgarh district, reportedly denied them entry.
Dilip Kumar Das, the deputy head of the Berubari Gram Panchayat, stated, “We urge the central and state governments to facilitate the return of illegally residing Bangladeshi citizens. However, the Bangladeshi government does not seem willing to accept its citizens back. After being stranded for two days at the zero point, the BSF has brought them to the holding center. We hope they are sent back to their country soon.”
Leave a Comment