Atrocities of BSF/How BGB responds

[Saif]

Tension erupts between BGB, BSF over fence construction at Chouka Border

Tension has erupted between the BGB and BSF, the frontier guards of Bangladesh and India respectively, during the last two days at the Chouka border in Chapainawabganj, centred around the construction of a barbed wire fence. However, the BGB states that the situation is now calm. According to BGB

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tension erupts between BGB, BSF over fence construction at Chouka Border
UNB
Published :
Jan 07, 2025 22:37
Updated :
Jan 07, 2025 22:37

Tension has erupted between the BGB and BSF, the frontier guards of Bangladesh and India respectively, during the last two days at the Chouka border in Chapainawabganj, centred around the construction of a barbed wire fence. However, the BGB states that the situation is now calm.

According to BGB and local sources, BSF members from the Sabdalpur BSF camp of Gopalganj police station in India's Malda district began constructing a barbed wire fence along the border at border pillars 177/1S, 2S, and 3S on Sunday morning. The BGB members intervened, leading to a flag meeting between both sides in the afternoon, but no solution was reached.

On Monday, when the BSF resumed the fence construction, the BGB again intervened. After this, the BSF halted the construction of the road. This has caused panic among the local population.

Local Union Parishad member Kamal Uddin stated that the BSF was putting up the barbed wire fence along the zero line at around 10am on Monday when the BGB intervened. This has led to heightened tension in the area.

Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, the commander of the 59th BGB battalion, said, "The BSF had started digging for the barbed wire fence, but after the BGB intervention, they stopped the work. The situation is now calm. Additional BGB members have been deployed at the border."

He assured that there is no reason for the general public to be afraid.​

 

[Saif]

সীমান্তে ধাওয়া খেয়ে পালালো বিএসএফ (Bangladeshi villagers confronting BSF with sticks)

 

[Saif]

Impunity for border killings must end

Ensure justice for the murder of Felani, other Bangladeshis

www.thedailystar.net

Impunity for border killings must end
Ensure justice for the murder of Felani, other Bangladeshis

VISUAL: STAR

It is unacceptable that even after the passing of 14 years following the gruesome murder of Felani Khatun, justice still remains elusive. This simultaneously reflects Bangladesh authorities' lack of initiative in pursuing justice as well as the Indian authorities' refusal to ensure accountability, both of which have contributed to a culture of impunity enabling such border killings to persist.

On January 7, 2011, 15-year-old Felani was shot dead by a member of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) while attempting to cross the barbed-wire fence near Kurigram and West Bengal's Koch Bihar. As she climbed down a makeshift ladder, her dress became entangled in the fence. While stuck, she was spotted by BSF personnel, and constable Amiya Ghosh shot her. According to Kirity Roy, secretary of a West Bengal-based rights organisation, the BSF could have apprehended Felani without using lethal force and presented her in court for breaking the law. Instead, she was shot and left hanging on the fence for hours, bleeding to death. Even after shooting her, the BSF could have rescued her and provided medical attention, but they chose not to.

The death toll at the India-Bangladesh border starkly contrasts with the far fewer fatalities along the India-Pakistan border, despite the latter's hostile relationship. When a so-called "friendly" neighbour causes such loss of life, how can this relationship be viewed as genuine friendship?

Despite this inhumane act, a BSF court acquitted Amiya Ghosh of any wrongdoing, with a subsequent BSF court also upholding the verdict. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India, set to hear final arguments in this case on January 8, postponed the hearing for unspecified reasons. Will Felani's family ever get justice? After 14 years, Indian authorities seem to have little interest in this regard. This impunity—and the evident disregard for Bangladeshi lives—has allowed such killings to continue unabated. The most recent casualty is Zahur Ali who, earlier this week, was allegedly beaten to death by BSF members and Indian citizens along the border.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 31 Bangladeshis were killed by BSF in 2023, 23 in 2022, and 18 in 2021. Thus, at least 522 deaths of Bangladeshis were recorded between 2009 and 2020. One cannot help but ask: why is the number of casualties so high despite India's repeated promises to reduce them to zero? How should Bangladesh respond to such killings and to India's claim of being a "close friend"? The death toll at the India-Bangladesh border starkly contrasts with the far fewer fatalities along the India-Pakistan border, despite the latter's hostile relationship. When a so-called "friendly" neighbour causes such loss of life, how can this relationship be viewed as genuine friendship?

The interim government must prioritise justice for all Bangladeshi victims of BSF violence, starting with Felani Khatun. It must also demand an immediate end to these killings. If Indian authorities remain uncooperative, Bangladesh should consider taking the issue to international courts and actively raising it on global platforms, as the Jatiya Nagorik Committee recently suggested. It is time for Bangladesh to adopt a firm stance against the BSF's callous treatment of our citizens and India's persistent failure to address this grave issue. Impunity must end, and justice must prevail.​

 

[Saif]

Tension erupts in Bangladesh as India's BSF tries to erect fence beyond boundary

Tension gripped local villagers as the Indian Border Security Force on Wednesday again began constructing fence along the border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj amid deployment of additional forces on both sides of the border...

www.newagebd.net

Tension erupts in Bangladesh as India's BSF tries to erect fence beyond boundary
Staff Correspondent . Rajshahi 09 January, 2025, 00:30

Tension gripped local villagers as the Indian Border Security Force on Wednesday again began constructing fence along the border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj amid deployment of additional forces on both sides of the border.

The Indian border force later stopped the construction as Border Guard Bangladesh intervened.

‘On Wednesday morning, a BSF team suddenly arrived to construct barbed wire fencing. Building of any permanent structures or fences, except for agricultural activities, within 150 yards of the border pillars of either country is unlawful, which applies to both nations,’ BGB-14 commander Colonel Mohammad Iqbal Hossain told New Age on Wednesday.

The BGB official said that the BSF personnel, violating international law, attempted to erect barbed wire fencing within 150 yards of the border pillars.

‘Upon learning this, BGB members intervened and stopped them. The BSF personnel then left the spot,’ he added.

Iqbal Hossain further stated that they immediately protested at the attempt, while a company commander-level meeting between the two forces had also been called.

‘If the discussion is not fruitful, a higher-level meeting will be arranged. In light of the situation, BGB patrols in the area have been intensified,’ he said.

Rajshahi BGB sector commander Colonel Md Imran Ibne A Rouf told New Age on Wednesday evening that he had just walked into Bangladesh from India following the meeting with his Indian counterpart.

‘After talking with senior officials, we will inform journalists through a press note or press briefing,’ he said.

Earlier on Sunday morning, BSF members from the Sabdalpur BSF camp in the Gopalganj police jurisdiction in India’s Malda district began constructing a barbed wire fence along the border adjacent to border pillars 177/1S, 2S, and 3S.

When BGB members intervened, a flag meeting was held between the two sides, but no solution was reached.

On Monday, when the BSF resumed the fence construction, the BGB again intervened, leading to tension erupting between the two sides with the BGB and BSF patrols being stepped up and personnel taking position along the border with weapons.

BGB members, meanwhile, on Wednesday also halted the BSF’s attempts to erect barbed wire fences on the no-man’s land at Dhamoirhat upazila in Naogaon.​

 

[Saif]

BGB-BSF flag meeting held over fence construction at Chouka Border

A flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India was held on Wednesday afternoon, focusing on the construction of a barbed wire fence at the Chouka border in the district. A decision to suspend the barbed wire fencing and road construction along

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BGB-BSF flag meeting held over fence construction at Chouka Border
Published :
Jan 08, 2025 23:11
Updated :
Jan 08, 2025 23:11

A flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India was held on Wednesday afternoon, focusing on the construction of a barbed wire fence at the Chouka border in the district.

A decision to suspend the barbed wire fencing and road construction along the Shibganj frontier in the district was made during the flag meeting, according to a BSS report.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Golam Kibria, Commanding Officer (CO) of the 59 Battalion of the BGB, confirmed the development.

"It was a cordial discussion between the officials of both countries," he said, adding that further decisions would be taken later by the high officials of the two countries.

"Members of the Sabdalpur BSF camp in Gopalganj Thana of Malda district in India started constructing a road and erecting a barbed wire fence along the border last Sunday morning. However, after the BGB's intervention, the work was stopped. The situation is now calm, and additional BGB members have been deployed at the border," the CO stated.

He assured the general public that there is no reason to be afraid.​