BSF takes back 17 people from Naogaon border after 19-hour standoff

Seventeen people, including women and children, who had remained at the zero line along the Sapahar border in Naogaon have been taken back by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

The group was removed around 1am on Saturday, nearly 19 hours after an alleged attempt to push them into Bangladesh, said Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commander of BGB Battalion-16.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Media Cell issued a statement on the development on Saturday morning.

Mahbub Alam, a resident of Kalmudanga village who witnessed the incident, said: “BGB members were guarding the 17 people. Even at 11pm, while I was loading paddy onto my tractor, they were still there. Later, BSF members dragged them back into India.”

He added that the group did not appear willing to leave.