Indian national among 3 pushed in through Sharsha border

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed three individuals, including one Indian citizen, across the Sharsha border into Bangladesh. 

The incident took place at around 3:00am yesterday (16 August), when BSF members pushed them into Bangladesh through the Shalkona border area in Mastofapur union. 

Confirming the matter, Sharsha Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) KM Robiul Islam said Gorpara Police Outpost members detained them during their night patrol for questioning.

The Bangladeshi nationals were identified as Shahin Sheikh, 30, and Sagar Sheikh, 28, from the Shekhpara area under Dumuria Police Station in Khulna.

The Indian national with them was identified as Anwar Hossain, 25, son of Afzal Sheikh from Bhautichar village of Matia Police Station in Assam, India.

According to Sharsha police, members of the Gorpara Police Outpost were on patrol when they saw the three individuals approaching on a road in the Narikelbaria village near the border and detained them. 

During interrogation, the detainees claimed that the BSF had pushed them across the barbed-wire fence into the country.

OC Robiul also said the detainees stated that the BSF sent them to Bangladesh after crossing the barbed-wire fence. 

"Legal action will be taken against them for illegal entry."

Contacted, Shalkona BGB Camp Commander Subedar Sharif Kabir Ahmed said, "We are not aware of the incident."

One of the returnees, Shahin Sheikh, said he and his brother worked as labourers in Haryana, India.

He claimed they were arrested by Indian police on 5 August and later handed over to the BSF at the border. After being held in a camp for several days, they were pushed across the border by the BSF late last night.

When asked about the Indian citizen, Shahin said, "We do not know him. We met him at the BSF camp."