A 21 year old Bangladeshi national was killed by the BSF on the intervening night between Thursday and Friday, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has claimed. The deceased, Millat Hossain, crossed the border near the Gathuma Border Outpost with one Mohammad Afsar, who was injured in the incident.
According to reports, the incident occurred at the Baspadua border in Parshuram upazila of Feni. BSF shot the two Bangladeshi nationals inside Indian territory, as per reports.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Mosharaf Hossain, commander of BGB’s Feni Battalion, said that the Baspadua border area is prone to smuggling. He also said that the BGB immediately inspected the site upon learning about the matter.
Mosharaf Hossain further said, “We are collecting detailed information to determine why and under what circumstances they crossed the zero line of the border so late at night. A protest note will be sent to the BSF from the BGB. Under no circumstances is such firing on the border acceptable.”
Millat and Afsar were initially taken to the Parshuram Upazila Health Complex for treatment and later transferred to the Feni General Hospital. Afsar is still undergoing treatment while Millat died on the way. Millat’s body has been kept at the Hospital for autopsy.
BNP condemns the death of Millat Hossain
Former Mayor of Parshuram Municipality and member of BNP’s central executive committee, Abu Taleb, has condemned the incident. He said, “Shooting dead our citizens on the border of Bangladesh’s sovereign soil has almost become a routine. The BSF is causing one Bangladeshi youth’s death after another, while the government remains indifferent.”
Abu Taleb strongly criticised the Bangladesh Government for its inability to highlight the matter at the international level. He said, “There has been no effective diplomatic protest, and the government has raised barely any voice on the international stage. To stop killings at the border, state firmness and international pressure are necessary, not mere letters.”
BSF ups the ante at the India-Bangladesh Border
The BSF has upped the ante at the India-Bangladesh border in recent times as public will has taken a harsh turn against illegal immigrants in India. Hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals have been deported from India since Operation Sindoor began.
There have been several deaths at the border as well after the BSF encountered Bangladeshis crossing the border illegally. The border areas between India and Bangladesh are prone to smuggling and a horde of other criminal activities. In many cases, the criminals have attacked the BSF as well to escape capture.
