BSF takes back 12 people after 3 days following push-in attempt at Kushtia border
The handover took place at around 11am near border pillar 148/3-S in Pragpur, following a flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF.
Twelve people, including women and children, who were victims of an alleged push-in at the Pragpur border in Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia, were returned today (15 June) to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) through a flag meeting after three days.
The handover took place at around 11am near border pillar 148/3-S in Pragpur, following a flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF.
After the meeting, the 12 individuals were formally handed over to the BSF, confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony, commanding officer of Kushtia 47 BGB.
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According to BGB sources, a delegation led by Deputy Commander Nurul Huda of Kushtia 47 BGB took part in the meeting.
On the other side, a BSF delegation led by Company Commander AC Sunil Kumar Yadav of Raninagar also attended.
BGB sources said that on Friday (12 June) at around 5:30am, the BSF attempted to push in 12 people, including women, men and children, into Bangladesh.
Locals later helped identify them and the BGB took them under control.
A flag meeting was initially scheduled the same day but could not be held allegedly due to BSF non-cooperation.
Another flag meeting was held on Saturday morning near pillar 150/3-S in Bilgatua border area, but no final decision was reached.
As a result, the 12 people remained on the zero line.
During the meeting, the BSF denied allegations of push-in through the Daulatpur border and refused to take custody of the individuals.
The BGB later lodged a formal protest, after which the BSF requested time for investigation and a decision.
All 12 of them reportedly suffered severe hardship while staying in the open, facing mosquito infestation, lack of bathing facilities for nearly two weeks, and extreme heat, leading to illness.
Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony said the flag meeting was held peacefully and the individuals were returned to the BSF following the agreed decision.
He added that the BGB remains on high alert along the border.
