In the pre-dawn hours, as the Lalmonirhat border lay shrouded in darkness, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) pushes in two Bangladeshis through the Patgram border, leaving them to the mercy of fate. The two men, detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) near the Paysattibari outpost in the Pradhanpara area, were identified as Ranu Molla, 60, from Narail, and Abu Siddique, 54, from Sunamganj. Their story, marked by desperation and hardship, sheds light on the human cost of porous borders and the shadowy world of illegal crossings, stirring emotions of sympathy and concern among those who hear it.
A Forced Return in the Night
The incident unfolded near border pillar 845, where troops from the BSF’s 98 Battalion, stationed at the BS camp in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, escorted the two men across the frontier. According to BGB’s Camp Commander, Nayek Subedar Alim Uddin, the men were apprehended by patrolling BGB members under the Teesta Battalion-2 soon after their forced entry. The operation, conducted under the cover of darkness, underscores the ongoing tensions along the Bangladesh-India border, where such push-ins have become a recurring issue, leaving vulnerable individuals caught in a cycle of displacement and uncertainty.
Lives Marked by Struggle
Ranu Molla and Abu Siddique, one of whom is physically challenged, shared a heart-wrenching account of their journey. They revealed they had crossed into India illegally through the Benapole border roughly a year ago, guided by brokers who promised better prospects. In Gujarat, far from home, they resorted to begging to survive, a stark reflection of their dire circumstances. Their dreams of a better life were shattered when Indian police detained them, handing them over to the BSF. The subsequent push-in, executed in the dead of night, left them stranded in their homeland, facing an uncertain future and the weight of their choices.
Handed Over for Verification
Following their detention, the BGB swiftly handed the two men over to Patgram Police Station for further action. Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman confirmed that efforts were underway to verify their identities and addresses. “They will be reunited with their families once we confirm their details,” he assured, his words carrying a glimmer of hope for the men who had endured months of hardship. The process, though routine, highlights the challenges of managing such cases, where individuals often return with little more than the clothes on their backs, their lives disrupted by the perilous lure of opportunity across the border.
A Broader Border Crisis
The push-in of Ranu and Abu is not an isolated event but part of a troubling pattern along the Bangladesh-India border. Reports indicate frequent instances of individuals, including women and children, being forcibly sent across, often without legal recourse. These incidents raise questions about border management and the plight of those who, driven by poverty or false promises, risk everything to cross. The BGB and local police continue to grapple with the aftermath, balancing security concerns with the need to treat returnees humanely. For Ranu and Abu, their return marks not just a homecoming but a moment to confront the realities of a system that often leaves the vulnerable in limbo.
A Call for Compassion and Solutions
As the sun rose over Lalmonirhat, the detention of these two men served as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind border policies. Their journey, from hope to hardship and back to an uncertain future, resonates with countless others who navigate the perilous divide between nations. The incident of BSF pushes in two Bangladeshis at the Patgram border calls for greater compassion and coordinated efforts to address the root causes of illegal migration, ensuring that those caught in such circumstances are met with dignity and support rather than further despair.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 17h, 2025
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