[🇧🇩-Land] Atrocities of BSF/How BGB responds

[Saif]

14 YEARS OF FELANI MURDER: Justice yet to be ensured

Today marks 14 years of the murder of teenage girl Felani Khatun, who was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force on the border in Kurigram in 2011, with her family still waiting for justice.

www.newagebd.net

14 YEARS OF FELANI MURDER: Justice yet to be ensured
Staff Correspondent 07 January, 2025, 00:15

588 Bangladeshis killed by BSF in 15yrs: Odhikar

Today marks 14 years of the murder of teenage girl Felani Khatun, who was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force on the border in Kurigram in 2011, with her family still waiting for justice.

The country continued to witness such incidents of border killing as at least 30 Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing in 2024 alone.

In February 2020, an Indian High Court bench set the Felani killing case for further hearing on March 18.

Felani’s father Nur Islam Nuru and her mother Jahanara Begum expressed dissatisfaction as the court was yet to hear the case, New Age correspondent in Kurigram reported.

‘It has been 14 years that we are yet to get justice. We have taken the trial to the Indian Supreme Court but the hearing date has been deferred. We have heard several days ago that the hearing would take place but the date is yet to be fixed,’ said Nur Islam Nur. He said that he sought justice for her daughter’s killing before his death.

Felani’s mother Jahanara Begum said that they had demanded justice for her daughter’s killing but to no avail.

From January 2009 to November 2024, the BSF allegedly killed 588 Bangladeshis and injured 773 Bangladeshis, according to rights body Odhikar’s data.

Felani, a 15-year-old girl, was shot dead by the BSF in the Anantapur border area under Phulbari upazila in Kurigram on January 7, 2011, when she was returning home crossing barbed wire fences erected by India.

Her body was left hanging from the barbed wire fence for five hours and the news sparked outrage and protests at home and abroad.

District and Sessions Judge Court, Kurigram former public prosecutor SM Abraham Lincoln said that the Indian Supreme Court had listed the case writ petition.

‘If the justice for the Felani killing is ensured, Bangladeshi people would get protection from border killings in the days to come,’ he added.

Rights group Odhikar in a statement on Monday said that the killing of Felani was a grim example of the Indian government’s aggressive attitude towards Bangladesh.

‘The indiscriminate killing and torturing of Bangladeshi citizens regardless of age are nothing new for the BSF. Every year, a large number of Bangladeshi citizens are killed or injured by being shot or by torture by the BSF in border areas,’ said Odhikar marking 14 years of Felani killing.

Odhikar will hold mass gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar at about 3:00pm today protesting at the killings of Bangladeshi nationals, including Felani, torture and enforced disappearance by the Indian authority.

Protesting at the Felani killing on the Indian border, a solo photography exhibition of Parvez Ahmad Rony at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan, was organised by Drik, said a Drik press release.

The exhibition titled Border That Builds will be held from January 7 to January 9. The exhibition will be inaugurated today at 12 noon.​

 

[Saif]

বাংলাদেশের ভেতরে কাঁটাতারের বেড়া, বিজিবি-বিএসএফ উত্তেজনা

 

[Saif]

বাংলাদেশি জেলেদের সাথে ভারতীয় বাহিনীর প্রতারণার হৃদয়বিদারক বর্ণনা​

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[Saif]

14 YEARS OF FELANI MURDER: End to border killings by India demanded

Rights bodies, student platforms and other organisations on Tuesday remembered the day of the killing of Felani Khatun by India’s Border Security Force 14 years ago with renewed protests and...

www.newagebd.net

14 YEARS OF FELANI MURDER: End to border killings by India demanded
Staff Correspondent 08 January, 2025, 00:38

Jatiya Nagorik Committee holds a rally, protesting at killing on border by Indian Border Security Force to mark the 14 years of Felani Khatun killing, in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Tuesday. | New Age photo

Rights bodies, student platforms and other organisations on Tuesday remembered the day of the killing of Felani Khatun by India’s Border Security Force 14 years ago with renewed protests and call to end border killings and Indian aggression against Bangladesh.

Ousted Awami League government and its prime minister Sheikh Hasina genuflected to India, failing to end the killings of Bangladesh nationals at border by the BSF, said rights activists, politicians and student leaders at a rally at Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, marking 14 years of Felani murder.

Organised by rights group Odhikar, the speakers at the rally also demanded the interim government to declare January 7, the day when Felani was killed, as ‘Simanta Hatya Pratirodh Dibas’ (border killing prevention day).

They also demanded naming of the road on which the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was situated after Felani.

Odhikar president CR Abrar, who chaired the rally held in protest at the continued killing of Bangladeshi nationals by the Border Security Force and torture and enforced disappearances by Indian authorities, said, ‘Our previous government bowed down to India and did not raise voice protesting against the border killings. We have failed to ensure justice for border killings.’

He said that the flag meetings between the Border Guard Bangladesh and Indian Border Security Forces were fruitless as they had turned to discussions about ‘holding picnics’, where border killings remained an absent subject.

‘The BSF claimed that they killed Bangladeshi people over security concerns. Of the 588 border killings in the past 15 years, we have not found a single person carrying firearms,’ CR Abrar said.

From January 2009 to November 2024, the BSF allegedly killed 588 Bangladeshis and injured 773 Bangladeshis, according to rights body Odhikar.

Felani, a 15-year-old girl, was shot dead by the BSF in the Anantapur border area under Phulbari upazila in Kurigram on January 7, 2011, when she was returning home crossing barbed wire fences erected by India.

Her body was left hanging from the barbed wire fence for five hours, sparking outrage and protests at home and abroad.

Felani’s father Nur Islam Nuru alleged that the immediate past government had put pressure on them instead of ensuring justice for his daughter’s killing in the past 15 years of its rule.

‘I demand the government put an end to border killing. No children should hang in the barbed wire fence in the coming days as my daughter did,’ said Nur Islam.

Felani’s mother Jahanara Begum said that her daughter was hung from the barbed wire fence alive for three hours and none came to save her.

‘I demand justice for my daughter’s killing,’ said the mother.

Jatiya Gonofront chief coordinator A Tipu Biswas said that the interim government should remove the collaborators of Sheikh Hasina and India as well from the administration to ensure justice for the border killings.

Speakers also blamed the absence of national unity in dealing with the issues of border killings, trans boundary rivers water sharing and unfair bilateral treaties.

Referring to the killing of a Nepal national along Indian border in 2017, Jatiya Mukti Council general secretary Faizul Hakim Lala said that protests spread across Nepal over the killing that forced the Indian authorities to apologise.

‘We have not seen such unity although several hundred Bangladesh nationals were killed by the BSF,’ he said.

Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zunayed Saki said that the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh should be based on equality and fairness.

Gono Odhikar Parishad general secretary Rashed Khan, Student Movement Against Discrimination coordinator Tarikul Islam, and Jatiya Nagorik Committee convener Nasiruddin Patwary, among others, addressed the rally.

Meanwhile on the day, Drik opened a three-day solo photography exhibition titled ‘Border that bleeds’ by photographer Parvez Ahmad Rony, observing the death anniversary of Felani.

Organised at the Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park at Gulshan-2 in Dhaka city, the exhibition was inaugurated by housing and public works adviser Adilur Rahman Khan with managing director of Drik Picture Library Shahidul Alam and Felani’s parents, Jahanara Begum and Nur Islam, among others, being present.

The exhibition, which will end on January 9, features 24 black and white photographs of Rony who has been documenting border killings since 2012 at different points of Bangladesh-India border.

‘I hope the photo exhibition will create awareness about the equal bilateral diplomacy between Bangladesh and India. It also focuses on border management to uphold the age-old humanitarian relationship of the area,’ said Parvez Ahmad Rony.

Addressing a discussion organised by the Student Movement Against Discrimination held at the platform’s office in the capital on the day, Daily Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman said that all of the killings did not take place for crossing the border, but many times BSF members shot Bangladesh nationals while they were in the Bangladesh territory.

Referring to the image of Felani’s body hanging from the border fence, Mahmudur Rahman said that the bullet pierced through her body hit the map of Bangladesh.

He further said that people sacrificed their lives in the student-led mass uprising for their country and religion.

Jagannath University students on the day also staged a protest rally on the campus, iterating the demand for justice for Felani’s killing and disclosure of all unfair treaties and agreements with India.​

 

[Saif]

End to border killing must for good relations with India

JUSTICE for the murder of Felani Khatun at the hands of India’s Border Security Force on January 7, 2011, could be a point of departure towards improved border management and relations between Bangladesh and India. But it has not happened. The photograph of Felani hanging from the fence created...

www.newagebd.net

End to border killing must for good relations with India
08 January, 2025, 00:00

JUSTICE for the murder of Felani Khatun at the hands of India’s Border Security Force on January 7, 2011, could be a point of departure towards improved border management and relations between Bangladesh and India. But it has not happened. The photograph of Felani hanging from the fence created a global stir and readily became a symbol of Indian high-handedness in border control. The case rolled into trial, but a general security forces court acquitted the only accused on August 19, 2013. Amidst an uproar, the Indian force decided to revise the trial, but another judicial court upheld the earlier verdict. A writ petition, filed by Felani’s father and a West Bengal-based human rights organisation, with India’s high court has not been heard in years. It, therefore, remains for Dhaka and rights and civil society organisations of Bangladesh and India to mount pressure on Indian authorities to set up an independent, impartial commission of inquiry of the case and other serious rights violations by the Indian guards.

The Indian guards killed at least 30 Bangladeshis in 2024 alone while the force killed 588 and injured 773 Bangladeshis, as Odhikar says, in 2009–2024. Delhi repeatedly promised to end border killing, but the Indian guards continued to use lethal weapons and kill and torture Bangladeshis. What is also problematic is the claim of Indian authorities that their border guards kill ‘criminals’ and ‘smugglers’ on the border. Cross-border smuggling happens on the border and such smuggling involves people from both sides. There are agreements and international laws to be followed in dealing with smugglers. Indian authorities on many occasions pledged to follow international laws, but the Indian guards continue to pursue a shoot-to-kill policy, dishonouring the agreements and memoranda that Bangladesh and India signed. In many instances, Indian guards have tortured and killed Bangladeshis, mostly farmers working on the field well inside the Bangladesh territory. Such high-handedness and disregard for international border control protocol by the Indian border force has remained a prickly issue between the two countries.

An end to border killing and a peaceful border could have been achieved if justice had been ensured in earlier incidents of border killing, including the death of Felani. But India has never held any of the accused to justice. Dhaka should, therefore, push for an immediate implementation of a zero-border killing policy and take up the issue at international forums as it is a violation of international laws. Delhi should also deliver on its promises while Indian rights and civil society organisations should mount pressure on their government to stop border killing.​

 

[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.​

 

[Saif]

BGB protests as BSF installs electric poles on zero line

The Border Guard Bangladesh has protested at the Indian Border Security Force installing iron electric poles and an electric device on the zero line along the border at Patgram in Lalmonirhat...

www.newagebd.net

BGB protests as BSF installs electric poles on zero line
Our Correspondent . Lalmonirhat 10 January, 2025, 00:26

The Border Guard Bangladesh has protested at the Indian Border Security Force installing iron electric poles and an electric device on the zero line along the border at Patgram in Lalmonirhat.

The BGB issued the protest on Wednesday.

Later, on the day, the BGB and the BSF held a flag meeting over the issue, said BGB 61 Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Muhammad Musahid Masum.

On Tuesday midnight, the BSF installed the iron electric poles and electric device on the zero line, he said.

BSF 98 Battalion members in Cooch Behar of West Bengal in India installed the electric poles and electrical equipment on the India-Bangladesh border at the sub-pillar number 2 of the main pillar number 829, which is 50 yards within the zero line of the Gatiarvita border at Patgram union.

The international law does not allow installing any such infrastructure within 150 yards of the no-man’s land.

On Wednesday morning, farmers had noticed the matter and informed the BGB about it and the BGB had sent a letter to the BSF for the flag meeting.

A company commander-level flag meeting was held at the border point in the evening on the day.

The BGB urged the BSF to abide by international border laws regarding the zero line.

The BSF later removed the installed equipment and poles.

BGB 61 Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Muhammad Musahid Masum said that the BSF informed them that they had installed the poles and device to contain various types of damage in tea gardens.

‘We have clearly stated that there is no scope for constructing any establishment within the zero line as per international laws and agreements,’ he said, adding that the BSF had removed the constructed structures following the flag meeting.

In Chapainawabganj, tension had gripped local villagers as the BSF on Wednesday again began constructing fence along the border at Shibganj upazila amid deployment of additional forces on both sides of the border.

The Indian border force later stopped the construction as the BGB intervened.

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.

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

 

[Saif]

Tension erupts again over India's bid to build fence along Bangladesh border

Tension erupted again between the Border Guard Bangladesh and Indian Border Security Force on Friday morning over building a barbed wire fence by the Indian force along Dahagram border in Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat.

www.newagebd.net

Tension erupts again over India's bid to build fence along Bangladesh border
Our Correspondent . Lalmonirhat 11 January, 2025, 00:20

File photo

Tension erupted again between the Border Guard Bangladesh and Indian Border Security Force on Friday morning over building a barbed wire fence by the Indian force along Dahagram border in Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat.

Tension flared up as the BGB protested at the BSF’s attempt to build a fence in the 150-yard no-man’s-land, which is a breach of international laws.

The construction of barbed wire fence was going on till filing the report at 10:00pm on Friday, as the Indian border force ignored the BGB’s protestations.

A large contingent of BSF personnel were deployed in the Indian side along the border, while 1.5 platoons of BGB members were stationed in the Bangladesh side. Local people also accompanied the BGB, according to its officials and local people.

International laws do not allow installing any infrastructure within 150 yards of the no-man’s-land.

BGB officials said that local residents informed them on Friday morning that the BSF was constructing a barbed-wire fence engaging 30–35.

BGB 51 Battalion assistant director Amir Khasru said that they protested at the BSF act instantly.

‘Responding to our protest, they initially halted the work but a little later they started building the fence again,’ said Khasru, adding that 1.5 platoons of BGB members were deployed at border over the issue.

Tension along the border began escalating since the final week of December past year over BSF’s attempts to build fence and other structures.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Bangladesh border force protested at the Indian border force’s attempt to installing iron electric poles along with an electric device on the zero line at the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat. On that day, the two sides held a flag meeting over the issue.

On Wednesday again in Chapainawabganj, local villagers became anxious as the BSF began constructing a fence along the border at Shibganj upazila leading to deployment of additional forces on both sides of the border.

The Indian border force later stopped the construction as the BGB intervened.

Earlier on December 29, BSF members from it Sabdalpur camp in the Gopalganj police jurisdiction in India’s Malda district began constructing a barbed wire fence at a spot adjacent to border pillars 177/1S, 2S, and 3S.

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

 

[Saif]

Flag meeting held between BGB and BSF over Fencing at Naogaon border

A flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held over a tense situation that arose regarding the construction of a barbed wire fence by the BSF along the Bastabar border in Dhamoirhat upazila of Naogaon. The meeting took place on Friday at 4:

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Flag meeting held between BGB and BSF over Fencing at Naogaon border
Published :
Jan 10, 2025 23:16
Updated :
Jan 10, 2025 23:16

A flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held over a tense situation that arose regarding the construction of a barbed wire fence by the BSF along the Bastabar border in Dhamoirhat upazila of Naogaon.

The meeting took place on Friday at 4:30 pm on the zero line adjacent to the Bastabar Border Outpost (BOP) in Dhamoirhat upazila.

The meeting was held between the commander of the Shibpur Company of BSF's 123rd Battalion and the commander of the Bastabar BOP of BGB's 14th Battalion, UNB reports.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, the commanding officer of BGB's 14th Battalion, said that the company-level commanders of both BGB and BSF engaged in a cordial discussion. The BSF agreed to halt the construction of the barbed wire fence. A decision on whether fences or roads will be built along the border will be taken through discussions between higher officials of BGB and BSF.

He added that the BSF assured that they would not construct any fences or structures within 150 yards of the zero line. If they attempt to violate this commitment, BGB will resist such actions.

According to BGB and local sources, as per the law, no border country is allowed to construct fences or structures within 150 yards of the zero line, except for agricultural purposes. However, BSF personnel attempted to build structures along the border, violating international law. Following the activities, BGB personnel intervened and stopped the construction. Subsequently, the BSF members left without completing their work.​

 

[Saif]

BORDER FENCING BY INDIA: Tension on as BSF avoids flag meeting

A tense situation continued in Dahagram border at Patgram in Lalmonirhat as the Indian Border Security Force made no response to Border Guard Bangladesh’s call for holding a flag meeting over the construction...

www.newagebd.net

BORDER FENCING BY INDIA: Tension on as BSF avoids flag meeting
Our Correspondent . Lalmonirhat 12 January, 2025, 01:33

New Age photo

A tense situation continued in Dahagram border at Patgram in Lalmonirhat as the Indian Border Security Force made no response to Border Guard Bangladesh’s call for holding a flag meeting over the construction barbed wire fence till Saturday evening.

The BSF with the help of 30-35 people constructed a four-foot high barbed wire fence on a stretch of about one kilometre and a half on the zero line Friday morning amid a tense situation as the BGB protested against it.

High officials of both the BSF and the BGB visited the bordering area Saturday morning while authorities from the both sides increased deployment of forces along the border, said local people and BGB officials in the district.

Dahagram Union Parishad member Golam Rabbani said that the BSF had started constructing the barbed wire fence on the zero line of the border illegally.

‘If India does not remove the barbed wire fence from the zero line, we will launch a movement,’ he said.

BGB 51 Battalion assistant director Amir Khasru said that the BSF did not respond to the BGB calls for a flag meeting over the issue.

‘The situation is normal. We have deployed additional BGB members on borders. We have urged general people to remain alert,’ Amir said.

He said that they were trying to resolve the issue at the earliest in consultation with the higher authorities concerned.

Tensions along the Indian border have been increasing since the final week of December 2024 over the construction of fences.

The Border Guard Bangladesh has protested at the Indian Border Security Force installing iron electric poles and an electric device on the zero line along the border at Patgram in Lalmonirhat.

The BGB issued the protest on Wednesday.

Later on the day, the BGB and the BSF held a flag meeting over the issue.

In Chapainawabganj, tension gripped local villagers as the BSF on Wednesday again began constructing fences along the border at Shibganj amid deployment of additional forces on both sides of the border.

The Indian border force later stopped the construction as the BGB intervened.

Earlier on December 29, 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.

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

The international law does not allow installing any such infrastructure within 150 yards of the no-man’s land.​

 

[Saif]

BSF obstructs reconstruction of mosque at Beanibazar border

For four years, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has blocked Bangladesh's reconstruction of a 200-year-old mosque along the Gajukata border in Beanibazar, Sylhet. As a result, the work that began with laying the foundation and installing pillars has stood still for four years. Higher au

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BSF obstructs reconstruction of mosque at Beanibazar border
UNB
Published :
Jan 11, 2025 21:25
Updated :
Jan 11, 2025 21:25

For four years, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has blocked Bangladesh's reconstruction of a 200-year-old mosque along the Gajukata border in Beanibazar, Sylhet. As a result, the work that began with laying the foundation and installing pillars has stood still for four years.

Higher authorities of the government, including the headquarters of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been briefed on the matter.

Despite several meetings between the BGB and BSF, the Indian authorities have not agreed to resumption of the reconstruction work.

International laws do not allow for unilaterally installing any infrastructure within 150 yards of the border's zero-line, the so-called "no man's land". Since the site of the mosque falls within this area, Indian consent would be needed to reconstruct it. However, BSF has been opposing the project for the last four years, after initially agreeing.

It is a mirror image of the situation along the border in Chapainawabganj, where BGB has been objecting to the Indians engaging in construction of their much-vaunted border fence within the same 150-yard mark on the Indian side.

Although BGB officials previously issued strong protests against the obstruction, communication on the issue has dwindled over the last two years. BGB-52 Battalion Commander Lt. Colonel Mehedi Hasan, PPM, said that the current tensions between the two governments in Delhi and Dhaka have to be resolved above his paygrade, and diplomatic efforts are underway to that end.

Local residents explained that the mosque's structure had deteriorated, with exposed iron rods and a collapsing roof, making it hazardous for prayer. Consequently, the villagers decided to construct a new mosque nearby. Union Parishad member Zainul Islam mentioned that authorities at higher levels were informed, but no action has been taken. He emphasized that the issue requires a state-level decision.

Former Union Parishad member Aftab Uddin recounted the events leading up to the dispute. Villagers had decided to rebuild the mosque and sought BGB's support four years ago. Following discussions with BSF, villagers were verbally assured there would be no objection. They collected funds and completed the foundation and pillars. However, when work on the roof began, BSF intervened and halted the project.

BGB sources confirmed that BSF initially agreed not to oppose the mosque's reconstruction during a flag meeting but later reversed their stance.

Lt. Colonel Mehedi Hasan said that BSF's objection was not to the reconstruction, but rather against any expansion of the mosque. He added that establishing new structures in such areas requires state-level decisions, which complicates the matter further.​