Md. Kismat Ali, born in Assam in 1963, possessed an Aadhaar card, a PAN card, and was even allocated a government-provided house in Assam’s Darrang district. Yet, despite these official documents, he was detained for two years on charges of being an “illegal Bangladeshi” before being forcibly expelled.

“They threatened to shoot me if I turned back,” recalled the 62-year-old, his voice trembling as he described being pushed across the India-Bangladesh border by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

“I was born in India, lived there all my life,” he told Banglanews. “How can they do this to me?” 

Ali, who claims to have lived in India his entire life with valid identification, is among over 1,143 individuals allegedly pushed into Bangladesh between 7 and 31 May, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) data.

Fatema Begum, another victim, described a terrifying ordeal. She and 18 others, who had been working at a brick kiln in Haryana, were blindfolded, flown near the border, and abandoned in a forest. “They told us we’d be shot if we looked back,” she said, still shaken.

In Habiganj’s Chunarughat upazila, 41 individuals were found wandering near Kalenga forest after allegedly being left by the BSF. Local reports indicate they were blindfolded and released at night, left to fend for themselves in unfamiliar territory.

Banglanews Lalmonirhat Correspondent Khorshed Alam Sagar reports that Indian nationals claiming to be victims of forced push-ins allege that Indian police are targeting Muslim-populated areas, conducting night raids, and detaining people indiscriminately.

Escalating border crisis

The surge in push-ins, reported across 18 border districts including Khagrachhari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, and Habiganj, has sparked fears of a growing humanitarian and diplomatic crisis. The first recorded incident occurred on 7 May, when 66 people were forced through the Matiranga and Panchhari borders, followed by 36 others in Kurigram.

Lt. Col. Abdullah Al Moin Hossain, a BGB commander in Dinajpur, confirmed the increase in incidents, with local communities now assisting in monitoring the border. 

BGB spokesperson Md. Shariful Islam told Banglanews that they lodged formal protests during flag meetings with Indian counterparts and intensified surveillance.

Violation of bilateral agreements

Bangladesh and India share a history of bilateral treaties aimed at managing the porous and densely populated border. Key agreements include the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement, its 2011 Protocol, and the 2015 Instruments of Ratification.

The Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), signed in 2011, emphasizes cooperation to reduce border tensions and prevent illegal crossings. However, officials argue that India’s current actions disregard these commitments.

Human rights concerns and expert opinions

Human rights activist Abu Ahmed Fayzul Kabir condemned the forced expulsions, saying, “If India suspects illegal immigrants, it should follow legal procedures. Forcibly pushing people into Bangladesh at night is unacceptable.”

Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui, Acting Executive Director of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), noted that while border tensions are not new, the current scenario reflects a dangerous politicization. “Push-in or push-back reflects a militaristic mindset. Migration should not be securitized in this way,” she said.

Dr. Tasneem added that a political solution is essential, emphasizing the need for dialogue over force. She pointed out that many Indian nationals also live in Bangladesh in irregular situations, and that legal labor migration channels could offer a sustainable solution.

Imanul Haque, a Kolkata-based academic, questioned the assumption that those expelled are Bangladeshis. “Many have lived in India for over 75 years, some across three generations, with valid documents. How is their identity being redefined now?” he said, citing legal cases currently in India’s Supreme Court.

UNHCR express concern 

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) exclusively to Banglanews expressed deep concern over India's alleged forced deportation of individuals, including Rohingya refugees, into Bangladesh, warning that such actions may violate international refugee law.

UNHCR’s Bangladesh spoksperson, emphasized that under customary international law, no person should be sent to a country where their life or freedom may be at risk. He noted that ongoing conflict in Myanmar further underscores the danger of such expulsions.

UNHCR clarified that some of those deported were registered Rohingya refugees, urging India to honor its human rights commitments and ensure that individuals seeking asylum are not forcibly returned.

The agency has called for a full investigation into the removal process and concrete steps to retrieve those expelled.

Calls for diplomatic action

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shah Asif Rahman, Director General of Public Diplomacy, told Banglanews that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation. “If the Home Ministry or BGB requires our assistance, we will act accordingly,” he said.

Professor Shahiduzzaman, a former Dhaka University faculty member, criticized Bangladesh’s weak diplomatic response. “This is a violation of international law. Our government must expose this to the global community,” he said.

He warned that the expiration of India’s CAA could lead to even more aggressive expulsions, potentially resembling a "mini Rohingya crisis", and even alleged the possibility of terrorists being pushed in under the guise of deportation.

As a possible solution, he controversially suggested deploying Pakistani border rangers and offering support to Assam’s ULFA insurgent group, alongside issuing strong diplomatic protests.

Political Reaction

Shama Obayed, Organizing Secretary of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said the current push-ins blatantly violate bilateral agreements. 

“India must explain its actions through proper diplomatic channels. If this continues, Bangladesh must consider taking the matter to the International Court,” she said.

Foreign Adviser's response 

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Tuesday (June 3) said Bangladesh is preparing to send a fresh diplomatic note to India in response to the ongoing push-in of people across the border, reiterating the need to follow established mechanisms for resolving such issues.

“We’ll send them a detailed letter—either today or tomorrow,” the adviser told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while addressing a question on the matter.

Banglanews sought comment from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka but received no response.

MSK/SMS