Bangladesh Raises Concerns Over Alleged Deportations by India

Bangladesh's Diplomatic Concerns

On Friday, officials in Dhaka expressed their apprehensions to New Delhi regarding allegations that India had forcibly sent individuals across international waters into Bangladesh.

Faisal Mahmud, the press minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, stated that the identities of those who entered Bangladesh without adhering to legal protocols remain uncertain.

He emphasized that without proper identification, it is challenging to confirm whether these individuals are Bangladeshi nationals who had been living in India unlawfully.

This statement follows reports claiming that Indian authorities had compelled individuals, including Rohingya refugees and at least three suspected Indian nationals, into Bangladesh and Myanmar.

As of now, India's Ministry of External Affairs has not issued any comments regarding these allegations.

Details of Allegations and Responses

The Bangladeshi High Commission referenced Indian media reports indicating that 1,081 individuals, purportedly Bangladeshis, had been detained by Indian police.

Mahmud noted that standard procedures dictate that Indian authorities should reach out to the Bangladeshi diplomatic missions for identity verification in such cases.

He further explained that if these individuals are confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens, their repatriation should be organized through official diplomatic channels, a process that has not yet been initiated.

While the Indian government has informed Bangladesh about the detentions, the verification of detainees' identities has yet to commence.

Recent Incidents Involving Rohingya Refugees

Reports from Maktoob Media on May 12 alleged that Indian authorities had thrown 43 Rohingya refugees, including children, into international waters near Myanmar's maritime border, forcing them to swim to safety.

These refugees were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and held identity cards, distinguishing them from undocumented migrants.

On May 8, the Bangladesh border force claimed to have detained at least 123 individuals, including Rohingyas and Bangla-speaking persons, who were allegedly pushed into Bangladesh by India without documentation.

A senior police officer in India confirmed that some individuals had indeed been detained by Bangladesh, but did not specify the number.

Government Stance on Deportations

Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, confirmed on May 10 that the state government was pushing back Rohingya refugees and other 'illegal infiltrators' into Bangladesh rather than pursuing legal action against them.

On May 8, reports indicated that three Indians were among a group of 78 individuals allegedly pushed into Bangladesh, according to local police.

Authorities in Gujarat, where the men were reportedly detained, denied the allegations of pushing the group into the water.

The solicitor general of India assured the Supreme Court on May 8 that the deportation of undocumented Rohingya immigrants would follow legal protocols.

Supreme Court's Involvement

On Friday, the Supreme Court questioned a petition claiming that the Indian government had forcibly deported 43 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar by pushing them into international waters.

The bench declined the petitioner's request for an urgent hearing and rejected the plea for an interim order to halt the deportation of Rohingyas, citing a previous order from another bench.