Bangladesh will not accept Rohingya refugees who are being forcibly pushed across the border by Indian authorities, said the country’s Adviser on Home Affairs, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam, on Saturday (26 July). He strongly condemned the push-in tactic, calling it “unacceptable and reprehensible.”

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the RAB-11 Headquarters and Narayanganj Police Lines, the adviser made it clear that while Bangladesh remains committed to accepting any Bangladeshi nationals who may have crossed into India illegally, that does not extend to the Rohingya population currently residing in India.

“If any Bangladeshi citizens are found staying illegally in India, we are prepared to take them back through a proper legal process. But we will not accept Rohingya who are being forcibly pushed into our territory,” said the adviser.

He also expressed concern about the increasing trend of forced cross-border infiltration. “India’s method of physically pushing refugees into Bangladesh is not only a breach of international norms but also threatens to destabilize our national security and humanitarian management,” he added.

The adviser also addressed the fallout from the July Uprising in Bangladesh, noting that many people had been wrongfully implicated in legal cases. “The mass inclusion of individuals, often without sufficient cause, has slowed down investigations. We are taking extra care to ensure innocent people are not harassed,” he said.

He confirmed that proper investigations are underway and that charges will only be filed based on verified evidence.

Touching on preparations for the upcoming national elections, Jahangir Alam said, “Law enforcement agencies are conducting countrywide operations to recover illegal arms, including weapons looted during the uprising, in order to ensure a secure environment for free and fair elections.”

Earlier in the day, the adviser visited the RAB-11 Headquarters in Siddhirganj and later the Narayanganj Police Lines, where he also participated in a tree-planting initiative.

BOB Post