Alistair Lawson BBC correspondent in Dhaka

The Bangladesh government has strongly criticised what it says is a campaign to force Bengali speaking people from India into Bangladesh.

As the Foreign Ministry expressed its grave concern over the issue, the fate of at least 200 people remained unclear.

Bangladesh says these people are now living in miserable conditions in no-man's-land between the two countries.

Reports say they are running short of food and water.

'Gross violation'

Bangladesh accuses India, over the last two weeks, of trying to force hundreds of people across the border between the two countries.

Students have burnt Indian flags in protest

In an interview with the BBC, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shamser Mobin Chowdhury said India was in gross violation of international law by targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, who it had incorrectly identified as illegal immigrants.

Mr Chowdhury said the vast majority were Indian citizens who had no right to live in Bangladesh.

Dhaka says Delhi has tried to force them across the border at several points over the past 10 days.

It says it is especially concerned over the plight of at least 200 people living in no-man's-land on its northern border.

India says they are illegal immigrants but Bangladesh says it is not willing to allow them to enter the country.

Determined

As the disagreement continues, there is concern that these people - who are now in effect stateless - lack adequate shelter, clothing and food.

India, for its part, denies it is conducting any programme to force Indian citizens into Bangladesh, but has said it is determined to prevent illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

It recently alleged that there were 20 million Bangladeshis living illegally in India.

Many of these people, India argues, are a security threat and should be deported.

The stand-off has done little to improve frosty relations between the border security forces of the two countries.

They have frequently clashed over the last two years and both sides are now on a high state of alert.

Senior politicians from both countries are calling for bilateral talks to prevent relations from deteriorating further.