Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami and a coalition of opposition parties have announced demonstrations along the India-Bangladesh border on Friday, protesting against alleged "push-ins" by India and the reported killing of Bangladeshi nationals near the frontier.
The protests will be led by Shafiqur Rahman-led Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which heads an 11-party opposition alliance. The coalition said it would organise rallies in border districts and key frontier points on June 12, followed by a protest march and gathering in Dhaka on June 15.
The announcement comes as senior officials of India's Border Security Force and Bangladesh's Border Guard Bangladesh held Director General-level talks in New Delhi, where Dhaka reportedly raised concerns over alleged cross-border push-ins.
At a press conference in Dhaka, alliance coordinator AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad accused India of attempting to force people across the border and alleged that Bangladeshi nationals had been killed in firing incidents involving the BSF.
The opposition bloc also criticised the Bangladesh government over its handling of the issue and demanded stronger measures to prevent alleged push-ins.
The anti-Sheikh Hasina student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), a member of the alliance, called on residents living near border areas to form a "human shield" to prevent the entry of alleged criminals, smugglers and unauthorised individuals into Bangladesh.
Also read: Bengal to set up holding centres for illegal migrants, deportees
NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari said residents near the zero line were facing a humanitarian situation and urged authorities to further strengthen border security.
According to the alliance, seminars and public discussions will also be organised across Bangladesh as part of the campaign.
India has consistently rejected allegations of carrying out push-ins. New Delhi maintains that it is only repatriating illegal foreign nationals after due verification and in accordance with established legal procedures and bilateral arrangements.
Responding to concerns raised by Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently said India expected Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification so that repatriation could proceed smoothly.
India's position remains that illegal foreign nationals residing in the country must be repatriated in line with domestic laws and existing bilateral mechanisms.
The issue has gained prominence amid efforts by Indian authorities to identify and deport illegal immigrants, particularly in border states. With both sides discussing the matter through diplomatic and security channels, the planned protests are expected to add a political dimension to an already sensitive bilateral issue.
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