30 hours in zero line, inhuman life in sun and rain

Three children, two women and five men have been living inhumanely under the open sky near the Zero Line of the Indian border for nearly 30 hours after an attempt to pushin (push) them at the Barabari border in Panchgarh. Burnt in the hot sun all day, soaked in the rain all night. Now they pass the time in uncertainty and suffering in a waterlogged empty field.

According to BGB and local sources, the Indian Border Guard Force (BSF) tried to push these men, women and children into Bangladesh through the Barabari border of Harivasa Union of Panchagarh Sadar Upazila early on Friday (June 5). They could not enter Bangladesh in the face of BGB obstacles. Since then they have been staying close to the Zero Line on the Indian side of the border.

Going to the border area on Saturday (June 6), it can be seen that men, women and children are staying in the open air without any shelter. After spending a long time in the hot sun on Friday, the night had to be drenched in rain. Suffering has increased due to waterlogging in various parts of the field due to rain water. They are in extreme trouble especially with children. The activities of BGB-BSF have been increased in the Zero Line area. Local people have been pouring in since morning.

After the incident, a flag meeting was held between BGB and BSF at company commander level on Friday, but no resolution was reached. The flag meeting between the two forces started again on Saturday. The meeting was going on till the writing of the report.

Meanwhile, the detention of women, men and children at the border for more than 30 hours has raised humanitarian concerns. Locals fear that their suffering will increase if not resolved quickly.

Harivasa Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Syed Noor-e-Alam said, “10 people, including women and children, are staying under the open sky. The matter is very sensitive. We want their matter to be resolved quickly.”