'Push-in' attempts foiled at Kushtia border, locals join BGB patrols

DAULATPUR, KUSHTIA, June 7: Attempts by India's Border Security Force (BSF) to push people into Bangladesh through the Daulatpur border in Kushtia were foiled multiple times by 47 battalion Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents, officials said.

Following the incidents, locals have been joining night patrols alongside BGB members, creating a joint security presence in the border area, according to sources.

Local and border-related sources said tensions have been simmering along the frontier following recent political changes in India. Against this backdrop, attempts have reportedly been made to push individuals-claimed as Bangladeshi nationals-into Bangladesh after they had been staying in India for a long time.

BGB officials said no such attempt was successful in the Daulatpur border area under the jurisdiction of BGB-47. Regular public announcements and awareness campaigns are being conducted in the border areas, while local participation has further strengthened security measures.

The 47 BGB battalion is responsible for guarding around 46 kilometres of the Kushtia Daulatpur border area, where personnel are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance. Additional forces have been deployed at border outposts (BOPs) to prevent any push-in attempts and enhance security.

Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony, Commanding Officer of BGB-47, said multiple push-in attempts were made along the Daulatpur and Gangni border areas of Kushtia and Meherpur. 

He said six people were recently attempted to be pushed into Bangladesh through the Tentulbaria border in Gangni early Saturday morning, but BGB members and local villagers managed to block them at the zero line.

He also said similar attempts were made earlier along the Daulatpur border but were successfully resisted by BGB and locals.
"A number of intermediaries involved in these activities have been identified, and legal action will be taken against them," he said.

The BGB official added that 24-hour patrols, surveillance, and public awareness drives are ongoing in the border areas. Intelligence monitoring has been intensified in potential push-in points, with additional manpower deployed compared to normal days.

"There will be no compromise on border security," he said.