Malda: The Border Security Force (BSF) and its Bangladeshi counterpart, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), were locked in a tense standoff on Thursday after BSF personnel detained 20 suspected infiltrators and attempted to push them back across an unfenced section of the India-Bangladesh border.
Incident at Sukdevpur
The incident occurred at Sukdevpur, under Baishnabnagar police station, where a 12-kilometer stretch of the border remains unfenced. BSF personnel detained the group, which included 11 women, five men, and four children, in the morning. They then attempted to send them back into Bangladesh, prompting resistance from the BGB.
Hundreds of villagers from the Bangladeshi side joined BGB personnel in blocking the move, while villagers on the Indian side were not allowed to approach the border. The standoff continued for several hours until a flag meeting was held between the two forces in the afternoon. Following the meeting, the detained Bangladeshis were taken into BSF custody.
Political Allegations
BJP MP Khagen Murmu alleged that elements in Bangladesh are exploiting the unfenced border to push Rohingya refugees, Pakistani nationals, or criminals into India. He stated, "They want to destabilize our country. Now, when our BSF catches them and tries to send them back to Bangladesh, they are refusing to accept them. This cannot be done. Our government is already informed."
No official statement was issued by either force. However, BGB sources claimed that the BSF had attempted an illegal "push-back," which they said had been thwarted.
Holding Centers and Previous Unrest
Three holding centers have been set up in Malda district, currently housing more than 150 Bangladeshi nationals. Previous attempts to push back detainees have also triggered unrest along the border.
