‘Procedure not followed’: Dhaka on reports of India ‘pushing’ persons into Bangladesh
Dhaka on Friday said that it has raised concerns with New Delhi about reports that India had “pushed” people across the international waters into Bangladesh.
Faisal Mahmud, the press minister in the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, told Scroll that the identities of “those who entered Bangladesh without following any legal procedures or formal channels remain unverified”.
“Without valid identity documentation, it is extremely difficult to conclusively establish that they are Bangladeshi nationals who had been residing in India ‘illegally’,” he said.
This came following reports alleging that Indian authorities had forced persons, including Rohingya refugees and at least three individuals alleged to be Indians, into Bangladesh and Myanmar.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not commented on the matter yet.
Also read: How India allegedly deported 40 Rohingya refugees by forcing them into Andaman Sea
The Bangladeshi High Commission, citing Indian newspapers, claimed that 1,081 persons alleged to be Bangladeshis had been arrested or detained by the police in India.
“The standard protocol in such cases requires Indian authorities to contact the respective Bangladeshi High Commission, Deputy High Commissions or Assistant High Commissions for identity verification,” said Mahmud.
He added: “If the individuals are confirmed to be Bangladeshi citizens, arrangements for their repatriation are to be made through formal diplomatic channels. Regrettably, this established procedure has not yet been followed.”
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