260 individuals pushed in by India so far

India has pushed at least 260 individuals, including Rohingyas, into Bangladesh since last Wednesday through borders in Satkhira, Moulvibazar, Kurigram, and Khagrachhari.

These individuals are in custody, and officials are verifying their identities, said officers of police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

The BGB had called for flag meetings and sent a strong protest note to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

The BSF had yet to respond to any of the calls for flag meetings, said a top BGB officer, requesting anonymity.

The BGB has also beefed up security along the border.

BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Wednesday said, "We have strengthened border security and enhanced surveillance. We are on high alert."

The Forest department on Saturday night handed over 78 Bangladeshi nationals to the coast guards after the BSF dropped them off on a char in the Mandarbaria area of the Sundarbans.

Ziaur Rahman, station officer of the Burigoalini Forest Station, said BSF personnel brought the individuals by speedboats early Friday and left them stranded.

Moshiur Rahman, Assistant Conservator of Forests, said many were found in poor health, with some bearing signs of abuse.

Two of the returnees -- Saidul Molla, 27, and Abu Bakar, 22, from Narail -- told The Daily Star they were detained by Indian police and kept at a BSF camp in South 24 Parganas before being pushed back.

"All the 78 individuals are now in coast guard custody, and investigations are underway for further procedure," said Lt Cdr HMM Harun-Or-Rashid, media officer of the BCG.

On the other hand, at least 59 Bangladeshi nationals were pushed back by BSF through two borders in Moulvibazar -- 15 through the Dhalai border in Kamalganj and 44 through the Pallarthal border in Barlekha -- on Wednesday and Thursday.

Commander of 46 BGB Battalion Lt Col Md Zakaria confirmed the detention of the 15 returnees from Dhalai.

Kamalganj police are verifying their identities.

Commander 52 BGB Battalion Lt Col Mehedi Hasan said 44 people, detained in phases from Pallarthal, were handed over to police.

Earlier on Wednesday, in Kurigram, BGB detained 44 individuals, including at least 35 Rohingyas, who were pushed in through Roumari and Bhurungamari upazilas.

Of them, 30 were detained in Roumari, and 14 in Bhurungamari, BGB officials said.

The same day in Khagrachhari, 79 more Bangla-speaking individuals were detained after being pushed in.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana said all individuals are under BGB custody and the local administration is closely coordinating with border officials.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said, "Dhaka is trying to establish contact with New Delhi on the reported push-ins of people from India through the Indo-Bangladesh borders in Kurigram and Khagrachhari."

"If they are identified as citizens of Bangladesh, we will accept them. This will have to be done in a formal channel. Pushing them in is not the way," he said.