Police recovered the bodies of three youths from the Indian border in Sharsha Upazila of Jessore district on Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Jahangir Alam, 50, Sabur Ali, 28, and Sakibul,20.
It has been reported that the body of Jahangir Alam, son of the late Yunus Ali Morol from Kagojpukur village in Benapole, was recovered in the morning from the Panchbhulat border in Sharsha Upazila.
At the Putkhali border, Sabur Hossain, son of Arif Hossain of Dighirpara village in Benapole, severely injured after alleged torture, succumbed to his injuries shortly after returning home. Additionally, police recovered the body of another victim, Sakibul, from the Ichamati River at the Agrabhulat border. He was a resident of Sadatpur village in Chougachha. All the bodies bore signs of assault.
According to the victims’ families and multiple sources at the border, the deceased had crossed into India on Tuesday night to bring back cattle. Upon reaching the Indian side, they were reportedly apprehended and tortured by the BSF. They succumbed to their injuries after returning to Bangladesh.
Sharsha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Amir Abbas said: “Locals found Jahangir Alam’s body near Bhandarir Mor area, along the banks of the Ichamati river, within 30 yards of the zero point inside Bangladesh territory, near Border Pillar 17/7S under the jurisdiction of Khulna BGB’s Panchbhulat BOP. Police, with the presence of BGB officials, retrieved the body and sent it to Jessore General Hospital for post-mortem.”
Sabur Ali’s wife, Hasiron, said that her husband occasionally crossed into India to smuggle goods. On Tuesday afternoon, he left home with the intention of going to India. Later, in the early hours of Wednesday, some people brought his body back to their home.
Additionally around 1:30am, Sakibul, son of the late Arif Hossain of Dighirpara village under Benapole Port Police Station, attempted to swim across the Ichamati River at the Putkhali border near Benapole to bring cattle from Angrail in India.
He was caught by the BSF, who allegedly beat him before leaving him near the Bangladesh border.
Locals found him injured in Nasir’s mango orchard and informed his family. His mother and wife brought him home early in the morning, but he passed away shortly after.
Upon receiving the news, police recovered the body and sent it to Jessore General Hospital morgue for post-mortem.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Navaran Circle) Nishat Al Nahiyan confirmed the incidents, saying: "Two bodies were recovered from Panchbhulat and Agrabhulat borders in Sharsha. Another person, who was injured near the Putkhali border in Benapole, passed away after being brought home. We are investigating the matter. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and further details will be disclosed once the investigation is complete."