Bangladesh nationals in Khulna division's six districts have been using some points between Bangladesh and India to cross the border without visa.

The six border districts are: Satkhira, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Meherpur, and Chuadanga.

According to sources, some people have been crossing the border with the assistance of illegal rackets. There is a health risk among the people in the border areas, considering the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the neighbouring country, sources said.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-58 Director Kamrul Hasan said that people have been returning from India using the border points as they have no other way to come back amid the current Covid-19 situation.

Photo: STAR

Since they have gone to India illegally, they have returned illegally, he said.

Many people in the border areas frequently travel to the neighbouring country as they have relatives there, the BGB official said.

Also, they work as labourers there, he added.

BGB Battalion-6 in Maheshpur Director Lt Col Khalekuzzaman said that BGB troops regularly patrol the border areas to prevent trespassing.  

Since the borders are not fenced, some have been taking the opportunity to enter the country.

Since May 17, 725 Bangladesh citizens have returned through Darshana frontier and they have been sent to quarantine and isolation. Like them, many others have returned without any test for coronavirus, he added.

Photo: STAR

The sources said that trespassing occurs through Benipur and Dhopakhali villages in Chuadanga's Jibannagar upazila; Matila, and Laraighat, Samanta and Khoshalpur villages in Jhenidah.

There are several other villages in four districts where trespassing happens through the border between Bangladesh and India.

Chuadanga Civil Surgeon Dr Maruf Hasan said, this is totally unacceptable. 

Kushtia General Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr Taposh Kumar Sarker said that he is aware of the issue and it should be cross-checked.