11 people pushed into Bangladesh by India

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly pushed 11 Bangladeshi nationals into Bangladesh through Dhabalsuti border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat last night.

Nayek Subedar Abdul Matin, commander of 61 BGB Battalion's Dhanlasuti BOP (Border Outpost) camp, told The Daily Star that the group, including including seven women and four children, were sent back through Gatiarvita in Dhabalsuti around 11:30pm.

Locals noticed the group wandering near the Natun Bazar area this morning and immediately informed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

"We rescued and brought them to our camp for initial interrogation. Later, they were handed over to Patgram Police Station," said Nayek Subedar Abdul Matin.

"Preliminary information suggests they were pushed-in by BSF under the cover of darkness," he said.

Patgram Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman confirmed the handover and custody of the group.

"Among the 11, seven are women and four are children. They had crossed into India illegally at different times, possibly in search of work. Their identities, addresses, and reasons for returning are currently being verified," the OC said.

OC Mizanur assured that the 11 individuals are in safe custody. "We are working closely with BGB to determine the background of these individuals. Legal action will be taken in accordance with our findings," he said.

Sources at border areas say the women may have been living in India for years without documentation and were detained by Indian authorities before being sent back through unofficial channels.

Local human rights workers and NGOs working along the Lalmonirhat border condemned the push-in as a violation of international and bilateral protocols.

"These types of push-ins bypass all diplomatic channels and put vulnerable people—especially women and children—at risk," said Majedul Islam Sarkar, a representative of a local NGO working on migration and trafficking issues.

He stressed that carrying out forced repatriations without due legal process is not only "inhumane" but also places significant strain on cross-border relations.