A group of 78 individuals were reportedly pushed into Bangladesh from India through the western Sundarbans region in Satkhira. The group, all of whom are Bengali-speaking, arrived at the Mandarbaria area under the Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans, where they were later taken into custody by the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

According to statements gathered from the individuals, they were transported by the Indian Navy late Friday night and dropped off near the Mandarbaria Forest Patrol Post in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district. Early Sunday morning, they were taken to the Mongla station by the Coast Guard, which is currently overseeing their care and transport. The Coast Guard’s media wing confirmed that the individuals would be transferred to Shyamnagar Police Station by bus later that same night.

Range Officer of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, Moshiur Rahman, said the group sought refuge at the forest station. In response, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the Shyamnagar Upazila Administration and Riverine Border Guard Bangladesh (R-BGB), provided the group with immediate support including food, medicine, and other basic necessities.

Reports indicate that all 78 individuals were in a state of poor health upon arrival, with three of them suffering from serious medical conditions. Despite speaking Bengali, it remains unclear whether the group holds Bangladeshi nationality. When asked about their citizenship, Range Officer Moshiur Rahman stated that the matter is under investigation by the Coast Guard.

Preliminary information suggests that the individuals had been living in a slum area in the Indian state of Gujarat. They were allegedly unable to provide documentation proving their legal citizenship, which may have prompted Indian authorities to remove them from the country and forcibly return them across the border into Bangladesh.

After being alerted to the incident, the Mongla Coast Guard responded by traveling to the scene. The Forest Department subsequently handed the group over to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Media Wing confirmed that all 78 individuals would be officially handed over to the Shyamnagar Police for further processing. Meanwhile, relevant Bangladeshi authorities have initiated inquiries to verify their identities and determine the legal and humanitarian implications of the incident.