India–Bangladesh Border Context
- Length: 4,096 km (world’s fifth-longest international border).
- States covered: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
- Guarded by: Border Security Force (BSF).
- Issues: Illegal migration, cattle smuggling, human trafficking, insurgency infiltration.
Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security)
Latest Data (as of July 15, 2025)
- Exiting India voluntarily:
- 2024: 1,049 persons.
- 2025 (till July 15): 3,536 persons (over 3x increase).
- Entering India from Bangladesh:
- 2024: 2,425 persons.
- 2025 (till July 15): 1,372 persons (drop).
Causes of Surge in Exits
- Regime change in Bangladesh (August 5, 2024) → Political uncertainty, crackdown on opponents.
- India’s internal drive after Pahalgam terror attack (April 22, 2025) → Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered States to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
Methods of Exit
- Voluntary Exits: People leaving without coercion, caught by BSF.
- “Pushback” operations: Police/BSF pushing migrants across the border without legal deportation (not defined under Indian law).
- Estimated ~2,500 people pushed back since August 2024.
- Controversy: Trinamool Congress alleged BSF illegally pushed West Bengal residents; BSF denies.
Legal & Security Aspects
- Deportation vs Pushback:
- Deportation requires due process + coordination with Bangladesh authorities.
- Pushback is extra-legal, raises humanitarian and diplomatic concerns.
- Security concern: Fear of undocumented persons being used for terror logistics, sleeper cells.
- Human rights concern: Risk of wrongful pushbacks, lack of legal remedy.
