Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed 48 more people into Bangladesh through the Pallathal border of Barlekha upazila in Moulvibazar.

Barlekha Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Habibur Rahman told Banglanews that the group, including women and children, was detained early Thursday (July 3).

He said members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained the individuals while they were wandering in a hilly area near Pallathal Punji, under the jurisdiction of the Pallathal Border Outpost (BOP) in Barlekha. They had entered Bangladesh illegally.

Among the 48 detainees are 15 men, 15 women and 18 children.

With this latest incident, a total of 452 individuals have so far been detained in Moulvibazar district after being pushed in by Indian authorities.

Of them, 341 entered through Barlekha upazila, 10 through Juri, 21 through Kulaura, 19 through Sreemangal and 61 through Kamalganj.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Commanding Officer of BGB Battalion-52, said the returnees claimed to be residents of Jashore, Bagerhat, Chapainawabganj, Barguna, Barishal and Kurigram districts. 

Legal steps are being taken after verifying their identities, he added.

MSK/