BSF 'pushes' six women, child into Bangladesh through Moulvibazar border

India's Border Security Force (BSF) has allegedly pushed six women and a child into Bangladesh through the Debolchhara border in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district.

The incident took place yesterday morning (25 June) through the Bakshitila area of the Debolchhara border under Alinagar union, according to local Union Parishad member Abul Hossain.

Locals said they intercepted the group, comprising six women and a child, after they emerged through the border area at dawn. 

During questioning, the women claimed they had been detained in an Indian prison for around 25 days before being blindfolded and pushed into Bangladesh by BSF personnel early hours of 25 June.

A local resident, Jahir Ahmed, said he personally detained the group and informed both the local UP member and Kamalganj Police Station.

However, police reportedly told him they could do little in the matter and advised locals to question the women and release them. 

Later, the UP member consulted the union chairman and arranged transport for them in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw.

Alinagar Union Parishad Chairman Niaz Morshed Raju said the group had been released by locals before he was informed of the matter. "According to information gathered locally, the women are Bangladeshi nationals and residents of Savar in Dhaka."

Kamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Kamar Uddin said police received information through UP member Abul Hossain that six women and a child aged around two-and-a-half years had entered Bangladesh through the Chitlia Bakshitila area under Alinagar union. 

Police later learned that locals had released them, and despite efforts, authorities were unable to locate the group afterwards, added the OC.