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

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India’s foreign policy reflects hegemonic tendencies: SAD-JU

On the anniversary of Felani’s murder, the Jahangirnagar University (JU) branch of 'Students Against Discrimination' (SAD) organised a protest march and a brief rally against border killings by Indian forces and Indian hegemony. The march began at 8:00 pm on Tuesday and concluded at the camp

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India’s foreign policy reflects hegemonic tendencies: SAD-JU
Student leaders called for an end to border killings
JU CORRESPONDENT
Published :
Jan 08, 2025 09:28
Updated :
Jan 08, 2025 09:28

On the anniversary of Felani’s murder, the Jahangirnagar University (JU) branch of 'Students Against Discrimination' (SAD) organised a protest march and a brief rally against border killings by Indian forces and Indian hegemony.

The march began at 8:00 pm on Tuesday and concluded at the campus Shaheed Minar.

During the rally, SAD leaders called for an end to border killings, criticizing India for its hegemonic behaviour toward Bangladesh.

Imran Shahriar, Senior Joint Convener of the SAD Jahangirnagar University chapter, moderated the event.

During the rally, Member Secretary Towhid Siam stated, "The movement of 24 was not just a fight against Hasina but also a stand against Indian hegemony. With Hasina's fall on August 05, we delivered a strong blow to Indian dominance. Let me be clear—if the Indian government continues to treat Bangladesh as its dominion, they will face a fitting response. The interim government must disclose all agreements made during the previous regime to the public. Every border killing must be brought to justice; otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will rise in anger once again."

Convener Arifuzzaman Uzzal stated, "The Felani murder, along with hundreds of similar killings, went untried under the previous fascist government, fostering a culture of impunity in Bangladesh. We demand an end to border killings and a commitment to justice. Through the student movement, we have ousted the fascist regime, and its flawed foreign policy must also be discarded. Only then will India no longer be able to maintain its hegemonic stance. Today, we stand in protest for Felani. Let us not have to stand for any other brother or sister in the future."

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the killing of Bangladeshi teenager Felani Khatun by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). On this day in 2011, Felani was shot and her body left hanging on the barbed wire at the Bangladesh-India border. The BSF member responsible and his superior remain unpunished.

Felani's killing shows the Indian government's aggressive approach toward Bangladesh. Indiscriminate killings and torture by the BSF are reoccurring issues. According to human rights group Odhikar, from January 2009 to November 2024, the BSF allegedly killed 588 and injured 773 Bangladeshi citizens at the border.​

 

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Tension along border continues

The government on Sunday urged India to refrain from any provocative actions amid tensions along the border over the construction of border fencing in violation the international law at...

www.newagebd.net

Tension along border continues
Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzil Rahaman 12 January, 2025, 17:51

Front view of foreign affars ministry building in Dhaka. | BSS photo

Indian envoy summoned, asked to refrain from provocative actions, deployment of forces increased on both sides

The government on Sunday urged India to refrain from any provocative actions amid tensions along the border over the construction of border fencing in violation the international law at several points with additional deployment of forces on both sides.

The foreign ministry summoned the high commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on the day to express its concern over the construction of barbed wire fence and protest at the recent killing of a Bangladeshi national by the Indian Border Security Force in the border.

Foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin conveyed to the Indian envoy that such activities, particularly the attempt to construct unauthorised barbed wire fence and the related operational actions by the BSF, had caused tensions and disturbances in the border, said a foreign ministry release.

‘The foreign secretary called upon the government of India to advise all authorities concerned in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border,’ said the release.

Pranay Verma was seen entering the foreign ministry at about 3:00pm.

‘We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. Our two border forces –– the BSF and the BGB –– have been in communication in this regard,’ Pranay Verma told reporters after the meeting that lasted for half an hour.

He expressed the hope that the understanding the two border forces had would be implemented in a cooperative approach in combating the crossborder crimes.

The Indian high commissioner said that he met the foreign secretary to discuss India’s commitment to ensuring a crime-free border and effectively addressing the challenges of smuggling and trafficking.

Earlier on the day, home affairs adviser retired lieutenant general Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the Border Guard Bangladesh was on the alert along borders and their strong position accompanied by local people forced India to stop the construction of barbed wire fences at five points in Chapainawabganj, Naogaon and Lalmonirhat.

‘We have decided to send a letter to India for scrapping the unequal deals related to the border signed during the previous government,’ the home adviser told reporters at the ministry.

He said that BGB-BSF director general level talks would take place in February.

Referring to the 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for border authorities, the home affairs adviser said that there was a specific ban on defence-related activities within 150 years from the zero line of the border.

If any country wants to construct any structure in the 150 yards of the no man’s land, it has to take permission from the other country, he said.

India had already constructed barbed wire fences in areas of 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156km border, according to the home adviser.

Foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin expressed deep concern of the government to the Indian high commissioner over the recent activities of the BSF

He emphasized that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermined the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.

The foreign secretary hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG-level talks would discuss the matter at length, said the release.

Bangladesh believes that such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquility along the border, he mentioned.

Referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen in Sunamganj by the BSF, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and disappointment over the continued repetition of border killings.

He strongly resented such killings and called for urgent actions by the Indian authorities to stop recurrence of such incidents and conduct enquiries into all the border killings and bring the perpetratos to justice.

Jashim mentioned that it was a matter of grave concern as border killings continued despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and to stop such killings, said the release.

Tensions in the bordering region have been increasing since the final week of December 2024 over the construction of fences.

In the latest incident, 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 on Friday amid a tense situation as the BGB protested against it.

The tense situation continued on Sunday as another Bangladeshi national was injured in BSF firing, New Age correspondent in Lalmonirhat reported.

The BSF has made no response to repeated calls the BGB has made since Friday for a flag meeting over the construction of barbed wire fences along Dahagram border at Patgram Lalmonirhat.

Local people remain vigilant alongside BGB members at Dahagram border.

BGB 51 Battalion assistant director Amir Khasru said that they called on the BSF for a flag meeting whenever the Indian force violated international border laws.

BGB 51 Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Selim Al Din said that they lodged strong protest when the BSF constructed any structure within 150 yards of the border.

Rajshahi BGB sector commander Colonel Md Imran Ibne A Rouf said that the BSF stopped the construction work of erecting barbed wire fence within 150 yards of the border pillars at Chapainawabganj and Naogaon borders, following border guards’ interventions and protests, New Age Staff Correspondent in Rajshahi reported.

‘The BSF was erecting the barbed wire fence, although no permanent structures or fences, except for agricultural activities, can be placed within 150 yards of the border pillars of either country as per the law,’ he said.

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

On January 7, the Border Guard Bangladesh protested at the Indian Border Security Force installing iron electric poles and an electric device on the zero line along the border at Patgram.

Border killings continued to go unabated as at least 30 Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing in 2024, according to rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra.

The ASK data also showed that 31 Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing in 2023.

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

 

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BSF’s border fencing move strains bilateral relations

THIS is unacceptable that India’s Border Security Force continues creating tension with efforts to erect fences on the zero line in violation of international laws and bilateral agreements. The Indian border force is reported to be constructing barbed-wire or iron electric fences along the...

www.newagebd.net

BSF’s border fencing move strains bilateral relations
13 January, 2025, 00:00

THIS is unacceptable that India’s Border Security Force continues creating tension with efforts to erect fences on the zero line in violation of international laws and bilateral agreements. The Indian border force is reported to be constructing barbed-wire or iron electric fences along the border in Lalmonirhat, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon. While the Indian guards stopped construction in the wake of protests by the Border Guard Bangladesh and flag meetings at some places, they have ignored calls for flag meetings at some other places. Tension along the border has, in fact, been increasing since the last days of December 2024 over the fence construction. Tension gripped villagers as the Indian guards on December 8 again began constructing fences along the Shibganj border amid the additional deployment on both sides of the border. The Indian force, however, stopped the construction after the Bangladesh guards had intervened. Bangladesh guards also halted the BSF attempts on the no-man’s land at Dhamoirhat in Naogaon. A tense situation, meanwhile, continues at Patgram, Lalmonirhat, as the Indian force, constructed a four feet high barbed-wire fence spanning a kilometre and a half on the zero line, ignoring a BGB call for a flag meeting.

While the illegal construction of fences on the zero line by Indian guards strains the relations between the two neighbours, Indian guards have continued to shoot Bangladeshis. In a recent such incident, a young man was injured as the Indian guards fired into a group of Bangladeshis on the Baghachipara border at Shibganj in Chapainawabganj on January 11. BSF high-handedness and consequent border killing have remained prickly issues. At least 30 Bangladeshis died in BSF firing in 2024 alone, as rights organisation Odhikar says. On many occasions, the Indian authorities promised to end border killing, but the Indian guards have continued to use lethal weapons and kill and torture Bangladeshis. What is also problematic is the claim of the Indian authorities that their border guards kill ‘criminals’ and ‘smugglers’. Cross-border smuggling happens on the border and such smuggling involves people from both sides and there are agreements and international laws to be followed in dealing with smugglers. Indian authorities pledged to follow the laws and never use lethal weapons, but the Indian guards continue to pursue a shoot-to-kill policy, dishonouring the agreements and memoranda signed between Bangladesh and India. In many instances, Indian guards have tortured and killed Bangladeshis, mostly farmers, well inside the Bangladesh territory.

According to international laws, a number of agreements and memoranda on the boundary and fence construction, neither Bangladesh nor India can erect or construct anything within 150 yards of the zero line without consultation with the other party. Dhaka should, therefore, strongly protest at the illegal construction of fences by Indian guards while Bangladeshi border guards should remain alert.​

 

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Govt summons Indian envoy to protest border fencing

The foreign ministry has summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to lodge protest against the "illegal" construction of fences at the borders. Following the call extended by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, the Indian envoy arrived at the ministry on Sunday afternoon reports bdnews24.com.

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt summons Indian envoy to protest border fencing
Published :
Jan 12, 2025 22:13
Updated :
Jan 12, 2025 22:13

The foreign ministry has summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to lodge protest against the "illegal" construction of fences at the borders.

Following the call extended by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, the Indian envoy arrived at the ministry on Sunday afternoon reports bdnews24.com.

After meeting with the foreign secretary, Verma said: "We have an understanding to ensure a crime-free border; to build a border fence for security to effectively deal with the challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals, and trafficking."

"Our two border guarding forces – BSF and BGB – are in touch in this regard."

He said, “We expect that the decisions made by the two sides will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime."

Earlier, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the Border Guard Bangladesh and the people have thwarted Indian efforts to erect barbed-wire fences at five locations at the borders.

India was looking to set up barbed-wire fences inside the 150-yard no man’s land at Lalmonirhat’s Tin Bigha Corridor, Naogaon’s Patnitala, and three other places, he said.

“The BSF [Border Security Force] and the BGB held a discussion over it. India stopped work after the BGB took a firm stand.”​

 

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BORDER TENSION: Bangladesh envoy in Delhi summoned

The Indian external affairs ministry on Monday summoned Bangladesh deputy high commissioner to India Nural Islam a day after Dhaka summoned Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh...

www.newagebd.net

BORDER TENSION: Bangladesh envoy in Delhi summoned
Staff Correspondent 13 January, 2025, 17:47

The Indian external affairs ministry on Monday summoned Bangladesh deputy high commissioner to India Nural Islam a day after Dhaka summoned Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma amid escalating tension between the two countries over fencing the border by the Indian Border Security Force.

The deputy high commissioner was summoned to the South Block that houses the external affairs ministry in New Delhi following media reports that India was attempting to construct barbed wire fences at five locations along the 4,156-kilometre India-Bangladesh border in violation of international law and a bilateral deal as well, diplomatic sources confirmed.

The foreign ministry was aware of the Indian move, but would not give any statement for now over the matter, an official concerned said.

Meanwhile, the Indian BSF on Monday fired four blanks in Shibtala area along the Ghojadanga border of India, opposite Bhomra border of Bangladesh in Satkhira, triggering panic among the villagers along the border in Bangladesh and prompting the Border Guard Bangladesh personnel to assuage their fear, New Age correspondent in Satkhira reported.

Lutfor Rahman, a local resident, said that they heard several gunshots from the Shibtala side during the Fajr prayers. ‘We became panicked,’ said Lutfor.

BGB 33 Battalion assistant director Masud Rana said that the BSF had fired four sound gun bullets.

‘It’s India’s internal issue. There is nothing to panic for the Bangladeshi people living along the border,’ said Masud.

The ouster of Sheikh Hasina regime amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5 and her subsequent refuge in India has strained diplomatic ties between the two neighbours.

Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh have been stable historically. But, former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster after her government was toppled in a student-led revolution and her subsequent refuge in India have strained the relation between the two nations, Indian media reports said.

Last month, the interim Bangladesh government led by Muhammad Yunus requested India to send back Sheikh Hasina, who fled there for shelter amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, to face trial.

Dhaka has already issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, who was supposed to appear in court in November 2024, to face charges of ‘massacres, killings and crimes against humanity’.

On Sunday, the Bangladesh government urged India to refrain from any provocative actions amid tension along the border over the construction of border fencing at several points in violation of international law with additional deployment of forces on both sides.

The foreign ministry summoned the high commissioner of India to Bangladesh on the day to express its concern over the construction of barbed wire fence and protest at the recent killing of a Bangladesh national by the Indian Border Security Force in the border area.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin conveyed to the Indian envoy that such activities, particularly the attempt to construct unauthorised barbed wire fence and the related operational actions by the BSF, had caused tension and disturbances in the border, said a foreign ministry release issued later on the day.

‘The foreign secretary called upon the government of India to advise all authorities concerned in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border,’ said the release.

On Sunday, home affairs adviser retired lieutenant general Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the Border Guard Bangladesh was on the alert along borders and their strong position accompanied by local people forced India to stop the construction of barbed wire fences at five points in Chapainawabganj, Naogaon and Lalmonirhat.

Referring to the 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for border authorities, the home affairs adviser said that there was a specific ban on defence-related activities within 150 yards from the zero line of the border.

If any country wants to construct any structure in the 150 yards of the no-man’s- land, it has to take permission from the other country, he said.

India had already constructed barbed wire fences along 3,271km of the 4,156km border, according to the home adviser.

‘We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. Our two border forces––the BSF and the BGB––have been in communication in this regard,’ Pranay Verma told reporters after the meeting in Dhaka on Sunday.

The Indian high commissioner said that he met the foreign secretary to discuss India’s commitment to ensure a crime-free border and effectively address the challenges of smuggling and trafficking.

On Saturday, the BSF obstructed farmers Nazrul Islam and Nazmul Hossain from cultivating their land near the Lakshidari border in Bhomra of Satkhira.

BGB officials said that following the incident the two border forces met in a battalion-level flag meeting in which a decision was taken to measure the territory of the two countries in that area. Until then the two farmers would not be able to cultivate the land, they added.​