“Lack of effective measures by BSF leads to border incidents”

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), a rights organization

Dhaka, Sept 30 - The Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), a rights organization, stated on Monday that the ongoing incidents of killings, torture, and abductions along the Bangladesh-India border persist due to the lack of effective measures by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to address these issues.

In its September monthly human rights monitoring report, the MSF stated that two Bangladeshi children and teenagers were killed by gunfire from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the border in September. This follows the deaths of three Bangladeshis due to BSF firing in August. Additionally, four more individuals were injured in these incidents.

On the other hand, in another incident, two Bangladeshi nationals were taken away allegedly after being detained by the BSF.

On September 1, a girl named Swarna Das, 14, was killed by the Indian BSF's firing in Lalarchak border area of Kulaura Sharifpur Union in Moulvibazar. Then, the body of Swarna Das was allegedly taken away by Indian BSF. Two more people were shot in this incident. Later the two injured persons were sent to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet for treatment.

On September 8, a Bangladeshi teenager named Jayant Kumar Singh,15, was killed by the firing of Indian BSF in Dhantala border area of Baliadangi Upazila in Thakurgaon district. Two persons named Mahadev Kumar Singh and Darbar Ali also sustained bullet injuries in the incident. The relatives took them to the hospital but the BSF members took the dead body of Jayant Kumar Singh from the spot.

On September 18, two Bangladeshis Sanaur Rahman, 35, and Shambhu Islam, 20, were taken away allegedly by the Indian BSF patrolling of the 88 Harischandrapur camp from Shitlighat area on the border of Porsha upazila of Naogaon.

Despite repeated assurances from India, Bangladeshi citizens continue to be killed by gunfire from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the border. The Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) believes that if the government takes appropriate measures, border casualties can be significantly reduced.

However, the government's actions are raising concerns among the public regarding its commitment to addressing and protesting these border incidents.-UNB