Twenty-eight people have remained stranded near the zero line at Bangabari border in Gomostapur upazila of Chapainawabganj after a push-in attempt by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was foiled by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of Naogaon 16 BGB Battalion, said BSF members from Ashrafpur camp under Battalion 12 attempted to push the 28 individuals into Bangladesh through border pillar 203/6-S around 3:00 am on Thursday. The group consists of 12 men, 10 women and six children, he said.
BGB patrol teams from Bangabari Border Outpost (BOP) resisted the attempt, after which the individuals remained stranded along the zero line.
Sources said a flag meeting was held on Thursday afternoon at the company commander level, followed by a battalion commander-level meeting between BGB and BSF.
Initially, BSF denied the push-in attempt during the meeting. However, it later acknowledged the incident at the battalion commander-level discussion.
Masum yesterday said BSF informed the meeting that the matter would be reported to its higher authorities, and a decision would be conveyed to BGB following instructions.
However, no further communication had been received from the BSF as of Friday morning.
The BGB official added that the stranded individuals are currently staying around 50 yards inside Indian territory near the zero line.
The force said the situation is being closely monitored, and additional patrols and surveillance have been strengthened along the border to prevent any further push-ins.
Meanwhile, it foiled BSF attempts to push 33 people into Bangladesh through three separate border points in Lalmonirhat early yesterday.