Khagrachari, May 8 (V7N) — Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained 66 Indian nationals for illegally crossing into Bangladesh’s Khagrachari district through various border points. The incident, which has drawn sharp protest from Bangladeshi authorities, highlights growing concerns over cross-border movement and forced entry, allegedly facilitated by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).
 
According to BGB sources, the detentions took place in the early hours of Wednesday (May 7) from several locations in Matiranga and Panchhari sub-districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The detainees were found in small groups entering through unguarded or thinly monitored stretches of the international border.
 
District administration officials confirmed that:
 
15 individuals crossed via Taidong border in Matiranga,
 
27 individuals entered through Shantipur in Gomti Union, and
 
24 more crossed via Rupsen Para border in Logang Union of Panchhari.
 
Notably, the group of 27 individuals who entered through the Shantipur area were found staying in the house of a local resident, identified as Abul Master in Hajipara. Acting on a tip-off, BGB personnel detained them without resistance.
 
Many of the detainees reportedly claim to be residents of Gujarat, India, although they speak fluent Bengali and lack official identification or passports. Initial findings suggest they were flown from Gujarat and brought to the border region, where BSF personnel allegedly facilitated their illegal entry into Bangladesh — a practice known as “push-in.”
 
In a separate but related incident, reports have emerged of 30 undocumented individuals being forcibly pushed into Bangladesh through the Roumari border in Kurigram district. These individuals also lacked any form of national identification or valid travel documents.
 
BGB officials stated that all detainees are currently in custody and undergoing identity verification with the help of multiple government agencies. “If verified as Indian nationals, arrangements will be made to return them,” a senior BGB official said.
 
Diplomatic Fallout & Government Response
The incident has triggered a formal protest by Bangladesh, with flag meetings requested at multiple levels with the BSF. The BGB has also informed the Ministries of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, requesting diplomatic engagement with Indian authorities to address the matter and prevent future occurrences.
 
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari, Nazmun Ara Sultana, confirmed that the local administration, police, and BGB are in constant coordination. “We are working closely to manage the situation and are pushing for their prompt repatriation,” she said.
 
Bangladesh has long expressed concerns over India’s push-in tactics, particularly along border regions where security infrastructure is sparse. These recent developments may strain bilateral relations further if not addressed through diplomatic channels.
 
END/BT/SMA/