The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed 16 Bangladeshi nationals into the country through the Patnitala border in Naogaon. This was confirmed in a press release issued at 11am on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Md Iqbal Hossain, Commander of the 14th Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Patnitala.
According to the release, in the early hours of Friday, the BSF forced the group across the border near pillar 254/1-S under the jurisdiction of the Shitalmari Border Outpost. BGB patrols later found them loitering near a tea stall by the paved road in Ghurki village and took them into custody.
The group includes seven men, four women, and five children. Among them are residents of Kolonipara village in Lalpur, Natore: Motaleb Sheikh (45), Shafiqul Islam (35), Mojnu Biswas (48), Noyon Kha (60), Mukul Sheikh (25), Elina Khatun (28), Mridul Sheikh (20), Samir (11), Bina Khatun (35), Mim (8), Morium Khatun (10), Rozina Khatun (18), Mira Khatun (8 months), Josna Begum (50), and Jannatul Sorkar (10). Another detainee, Miraj Sheikh (18), hails from Char Kurulia village, Ishwardi, Pabna.
Officer-in-Charge of Patnitala Police Station, Shah Md Enayetur Rahman, stated they are being held at the station and will undergo medical checks before being handed over to their families following legal procedures. The group reportedly entered India illegally via Charghat, Rajshahi, and were later detained in Rajasthan before being returned by the BSF.
