Bangladesh says it foiled multiple border push-in attempts by India

DHAKA: Bangladesh on Thursday said it had thwarted several alleged attempts by Indian authorities to push people across the border into its territory over the past 24 hours, adding fresh tension to an ongoing dispute over undocumented migration.

According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), 10 separate attempts to move people across different sections of the frontier were detected and prevented.

The border between the two South Asian neighbours stretches for more than 4,000 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest land frontiers and a challenging area to monitor.

The latest development comes as India continues its campaign against undocumented migration, with authorities in several border states intensifying action against people accused of living in the country illegally.

In a statement, the BGB said no individual or group would be allowed to enter Bangladesh through illegal means and warned that any violation of established border management norms and bilateral understandings would be firmly resisted.

Bangladesh has in recent weeks strengthened border patrols and launched public awareness campaigns in several frontier areas amid concerns over what officials and rights groups describe as “push-ins” — the transfer of individuals across the border without completing formal verification and repatriation procedures.

According to Bangladeshi authorities, one such incident occurred in the southwestern district of Jhenaidah, where Indian border personnel allegedly attempted to move between 30 and 35 people towards Bangladeshi territory using a prison van after opening a border gate.

The BGB claimed its personnel intervened and forced the vehicle to retreat.

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Dhaka has repeatedly maintained that if any individual is confirmed to be a Bangladeshi national, they should be repatriated through established legal and diplomatic channels rather than being sent across the border without official procedures.

The migration issue has complicated efforts by both countries to improve relations following the political changes in Bangladesh last year.

According to Bangladeshi officials, the matter is expected to be discussed during director general-level talks between the border forces of the two countries, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from June 8 to 11.