BSF 'trying to push in' 31 Rohingyas
The Border Security Force (BSF) of India has been trying to force 31 Rohingyas into Bangladesh since Friday evening through Kaziatali Border in Brahmanbaria's Kasba upazila.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Kasba Company Commander Nayek Subedar Abdul Karim said they received information that there were Rohingyas stranded on the no-man's land and the BSF was trying to force them into Bangladesh.
He added that the BGB had been on high alert ever since the situation arose and had increased security in the area since Friday night.
Locals had also been alerted to help the BGB foil the bid for forcing the Rohingyas into Bangladesh.
During a visit along the border, some Rohingyas were seen staying under the open sky while BGB and BSF remained alert on their sides.
Shafiul Azam Babu, a member of the local Union Parishad, told The Daily Star they had learnt that 22 out of the 31 Rohingyas were minors.
At least 1,300 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh from India since the start of the year as fears of deportation to Myanmar sparked an exodus, AFP reported, quoting officials, on Wednesday.
Dozens of Rohingyas were also deported from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh last week. They were arrested for illegally using Bangladeshi passports to travel to the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, New Delhi has faced criticism for forcibly repatriating the Rohingyas to Myanmar while persecution in Rakhine is still ongoing.
The United Nations and rights groups have accused India of disregarding international law by forcibly sending back Rohingyas to Myanmar. Some 40,000 Rohingyas have been living in India.
Rohingyas have been persecuted for decades in Myanmar, which refuses to recognise them as citizens and falsely labels them "Bengali" illegal immigrants.
At least 720,000 Rohingyas fled the bloody crackdown by Myanmar army and entered Bangladesh to join some 300,000 already living in refugee camps here.
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