The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), during the Director General-level talks with the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi that concluded on Thursday, raised the issue of alleged pushbacks of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants into its side of the border. The BGB complained that legal and diplomatic protocols were not being followed in such cases.
India's Repatriation Requests
However, the BSF drew the attention of the BGB to the nearly 3,000 formal requests made by India for the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The Indian side asked Dhaka to verify the nationality of these individuals and ensure their early repatriation.
57th DG-Level Interaction
At the 57th Director General-level interaction, the BGB delegation, led by Director General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, claimed that those pushed back included Myanmar nationals and even Indian nationals.
According to Indian agencies, Rohingyas have illegally entered India using Bangladesh as a convenient transit point. While the BGB tried to link the infiltration of Rohingyas into India to humanitarian causes, both the BGB and BSF agreed to strengthen their border security mechanisms.
Agreed Measures
The two border forces agreed to enhance joint patrolling, intensify vigilance along the border, and conduct public awareness drives against illegal border crossings. These measures are aimed at curbing incidents of infiltration, killings, and attacks along the border.
This interaction highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the India-Bangladesh border, with both sides emphasizing the need for cooperation to address illegal immigration and security concerns.
