By: RK Team
Baralekha, Moulvibazar | July 29, 2025 —
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed 10 more Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh through the Karampur border in Baralekha upazila of Moulvibazar district, bringing the total number of such cross-border expulsions to nearly 2,000 since early May.
The incident took place early Monday morning when BSF personnel reportedly expelled the group—comprising three women, six children, and one man—through a remote hilly point near the Latu border outpost. Bangladeshi border guards from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-52 intercepted the group shortly after they entered the country around 5:00 AM.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Haque Chowdhury, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-52, confirmed the development, stating that the Rohingya had been detained by Indian authorities from various locations before being forcibly returned.
“They entered India about five years ago through Satkhira district in search of livelihood opportunities,” Lt Col Chowdhury said, citing preliminary accounts from the detainees.
The group was later verified as forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, with some holding official refugee registration cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in India.
After identity verification, the BGB transferred the group to Baralekha police station for further processing. Officer-in-Charge Abul Kasem Sarker confirmed that preparations were underway to send them to refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
With this latest pushback, the number of Rohingya forced into Bangladesh by Indian authorities since May 7 has reached 169, out of a total of 1,975 individuals. At least 50 of these Rohingya were officially registered with UNHCR, highlighting growing concerns over violations of refugee protections and cross-border refoulement.
Rights groups have previously criticized the Indian government for detaining and deporting Rohingya refugees despite their registered status, raising alarm over the lack of safeguards for vulnerable populations.
