Ten Bangladeshi nationals, including three children and women, who spent nearly four days and three nights stranded near Berubari on the Indo-Bangladesh border in north Bengal, have been brought back to India and shifted to a holding centre in Cooch Behar district following a repatriation impasse between border authorities of the two countries.
The group had been sheltering in the open near the zero line in the Berubari after efforts to facilitate their return to Bangladesh ran into difficulties.
According to Border Security Force (BSF) sources, the individuals had entered India illegally and were subsequently identified as Bangladeshi nationals. One member of the group claimed they were residents of Kushtia district in Bangladesh and had sought to return home.
BSF officials said the individuals were handed over by the civil administration for push in accordance with established procedures.
According to BSF sources, the group crossed into Bangladesh but was later pushed back towards the zero line, leaving them stranded in adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and storms.
After spending several days in the border area, the ten individuals were brought back by the BSF on Monday. They were taken to Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital for health examinations before being shifted to a holding centre at Mekhliganj, where they are currently under police supervision.
A senior BSF officer attached to the North Bengal Frontier said further action would be taken in consultation with the civil administration.
“They are presently under police supervision. The next course of action regarding repatriation will be decided by the competent authorities in accordance with legal procedures,” the officer said.
The incident has once again highlighted the complexities of border management along stretches where fencing remains incomplete. Security officials pointed to areas around the Tin Bigha Corridor in Mekhliganj, where unfenced sections have historically posed challenges relating to illegal crossings and smuggling activities.
Bangladesh media quoted Lt Col Mohammad Siraj, Commanding Officer of BGB’s 56 Battalion, as saying that a flag meeting had been held with BSF officials over the incident.
According to the reports, Lt Col Siraj acknowledged that the individuals concerned were Bangladeshi nationals but insisted that any repatriation must be carried out through designated immigration checkpoints and in accordance with international law.
“We have informed the BSF that if these individuals are to be repatriated, the process must take place through recognised immigration channels. Only then Bangladesh will accept them,” he was quoted as saying.
The BGB officer reportedly described attempts to move people across the border outside formal procedures as unacceptable and said such actions could place vulnerable individuals at risk.
“Even if they are Bangladeshi citizens, repatriation must follow due process. We have requested the Indian authorities to complete the procedure through proper legal and immigration channels,” he reportedly said.
No official statement was immediately available regarding the outcome of the reported flag meeting.