5 picked up by BSF in Kushtia not returned yet

The matter was also discussed at a flag meeting between BDR and BSF on Saturday, but to no effect.

According to sources in 25 Rifle Battalion in Jessore, BSF picked up the five Bangladeshis when they were moving near Pota border point in Mohespur upazila in Jhenidah in the evening.

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The five persons are Sujon, 25, son of Sirajul Islam; Jamal, 30, son of Saha Alam Tara; Faruk, 28, son Tayeb Ali; Hasem, 31, son of Abed Ali of Dhaka and Alam, 32, of Sejia village in Mohespur.

According to local sources, the five were friends, who came to visit Alam of Sejia village on Thursday.

They went for a walk in the border area near Alam's house. BSF men from Chouhati camp entered into Bangladesh territory and picked up them at gunpoint.

BDR of Samanta camp in Moehspur sent a letter to BSF Saturday morning seeking a flag meeting for return of the five persons.

The flag meeting was held Saturday night at Samatna. Some local people including Samanta Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Abdul Ali attended the meeting. Habildar Gonzer Ali of Samanta BDR camp led the Bangladesh team.

BSF told the meeting that the five Bangladeshis were sent to Chouhati police station and they would have to go through a legal process.

BSF also denied entering into Bangladesh territory and said they arrested the five when they entered into Indian territory.