Border Guard Bangladesh (BGIB) and local residents have successfully thwarted five push-in attempts by the Border Security Force (BSF) in the Maheshpur border area of Jhenaidah over the past seven days. BGIB has been conducting special patrols, issuing warnings through megaphones, and involving local residents in surveillance to prevent these attempts.
BGIB claims that despite five attempts by BSF to push people into Bangladesh illegally, all attempts have been thwarted due to strict vigilance at the border. There have been no successful push-in incidents at the Maheshpur border so far.
According to BGIB sources, there are 12 Border Observation Posts (BOPs) in Maheshpur Upazila under the 58 BGIB Battalion. At least five of these BOPs, including Yadavpur, Samanta, Matila, and Bagha Danga, are at risk of push-in attempts. Surveillance and patrols have been intensified in these areas.
Maheshpur shares a 78-kilometer border with India, of which 68 kilometers are fenced with barbed wire. However, there is no fence in the approximately 10-kilometer border area adjacent to Yadavpur and Matila BOPs, making it more vulnerable. The Indian side of the border includes Banskhali Thana in Nadia district and Bagda Thana in North 24 Parganas district.
Local resident Harun Or Rashid from Gopalpur village said, 'We have seen BSF bringing people in large vehicles to the barbed wire fence road. Later at night, they tried to push them into Bangladesh by turning off the fence lights and opening the gate. However, due to the strong presence of local residents and BGIB, they failed.' He added that there were also daytime push-in attempts, which were thwarted by the locals.
On Thursday, increased BGIB patrols were observed in the Yadavpur, Samanta, Matila, Bagha Danga, Kusumpur, and Shrinathpur BOP areas. Members were seen on duty with megaphones and bamboo sticks. Particularly noticeable was the BGIB presence in Gopalpur of Natima Union and Samanta and Matila of Kazirber Union.
Yadavpur resident Nazrul Islam said, 'Whenever we see signs of BSF's push-in attempts, we immediately inform BGIB. Locals are staying awake at night to guard the border with BGIB. The villagers are united. However, there is a sense of fear among the general public that something bad might happen.'
Maheshpur 58 BGIB Battalion CEO Lieutenant Colonel Mo. Rafiqul Alam said, 'BSF has not succeeded in any push-in attempts in the border areas under the 58 BGIB Battalion. They attempted push-ins at various points along the border five times. Our soldiers are constantly on alert. They maintain uninterrupted border surveillance and patrols.' He added, 'Local residents, Ansar members, and village police are also assisting our soldiers on patrols. They are providing us with information and support in various ways. We will not compromise on maintaining the country's sovereignty and border security.'
