Uncertainty persists for 11 people stranded at Thakurgaon border

The fate of 11 people allegedly pushed towards Bangladesh by the India's Border Security Force (BSF) through the Mashalgong border in Haripur upazila of Thakurgaon remains uncertain, as the group remain stranded in the zero-line area for more than 36 hours despite several flag meetings between the border forces.
According to local sources, the group, comprising three men, four women and four children, was allegedly pushed towards the Bangladesh border at around 3:30am on Friday. However, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented their entry into the country, leaving them stranded in the no-man's land between the two countries.
The group also includes a woman who is nine-months-pregnant and a child with disabilities. They have been living under the open sky with limited access to food, drinking water and medical care, while enduring rain, heat and uncertainty.
One of the stranded children, Rozina Akter, a sixth-grade student, said her family had been living in Kolkata, India. She alleged that Indian authorities detained them and moved them through several border areas over nearly two weeks before leaving them near the Thakurgaon border.
Local residents described the situation as alarming, saying women and children are facing severe hardship. Villagers have provided food and water on humanitarian grounds, but the assistance remains inadequate.
The incident has triggered concern among border residents, many of whom alleged that the individuals were pushed towards Bangladesh in violation of established procedures and humanitarian norms. They called for urgent diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation.
Commander of Dinajpur BGB Battalion-42, Lt Col Abdullah Al Moin Hasan, said BGB had lodged protests through flag meetings with the BSF over the alleged push-in.
"We have strongly objected to any illegal push-in. If any individual is proven to be a Bangladeshi national, they must be handed over through proper legal procedures and documentation. We will not accept any illegal push-in," he said.
As the standoff continues, concern is mounting over the humanitarian condition of the stranded individuals. Locals and observers say the issue has gone beyond border security and now requires urgent diplomatic and administrative intervention to ensure a humane and lasting resolution.