Seven members of the same family have been arrested after Indian Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly pushed them into Bangladesh through three border points in Lalmonirhat.

The incident happened on Thursday morning (June 12) at the Durgapur border in Aditmari upazila, where Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained the group after they were pushed in by BSF troops.

Twelve more people are reportedly waiting in no-man’s land at Hatibandha and Patgram borders after BSF tried to push them in as well.

The detainees are: Obaidur Rahman, 45, son of late Bahalla Miah of Barobhita Dhaniram area in Fulbari upazila of Kurigram; his wife Mahmuda Begum, 40; sons Mahabul, 15, and Mojibur, 13; daughters Jannati, 9, Jahanara Begum, 7; and 7-month-old Asmi.

According to locals and BGB sources BSF members forced the seven Bangladeshis across the border at pillar 926/3-S of Digholtari in Durgapur union of Aditmari. Later, BGB detained them after they identified themselves as Bangladeshi citizens.

Locals and BGB are maintaining a strong stance to prevent further push-ins.

Lt Col Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of BGB’s Lalmonirhat-15 Battalion confirmed the matter. 

They were later handed over to Aditmari Police Station for verification and legal action, he added.

MSK/