People living in the Chapainawabganj border areas are spending their days in utter panic and consternation due to the recent rise in border killings and oppression by the Border Security Forces (BSF) of India.
The local human rights organisations have sternly condemned these recurring incidents and accused BSF of breaking the law. Despite the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF having an agreement to bring the border killings down to zero, these killings are on the rise. BGB informed that they have continued protesting these incidents through the proper channels.
This year, four people have been killed so far by the BSF in shootings and torture at the Chapainawabganj border; many have been rendered disabled. According to BGB 9 sources, in 2014, two were killed and two others injured in those border areas.
However, many residents of those border areas on condition of anonymity said people do not report all the border killings to avoid the legal processes and ensuing harassment. It is also alleged that many wounded, in fear of retribution by BGB, go to private clinics to get treated.
There were also several complaints that although one or two awareness workshops were held before Eid-ul-Azha, no such programmes are held the rest of the year for these uneducated-poor borderland people, the victims of such border killings.
Shafiqul Islam, Lecturer of History department of Binodpur Degree College in Shibganj upazila, said: “These incidents of border-killing and torture by the BSF has been going on for over two decades as the government and the international community have not taken any effective measures. The BGB should play a better role in raising awareness among the poor people living in the border areas. Even the educated youths are getting involved in smuggling and other criminal activities for lack of jobs.”
Durlobhpur UP Chairman Nazmul Kabir Mukta said: “Most of these border people are farmers who are poor, uneducated and unaware. Many a times they work very close along the borders. But we have seen the BSF attacking these innocent farmers and at time taking them away and torturing them. This is still happening quite frequently. Nowhere in international law does it say that trespassers can be ruthlessly tortured and killed.” He too stressed on raising awareness of border laws among the locals.
Bangladesh Human Rights Commission Chapainawabganj General Secretary Advocate Syed Shahjamal said: “Two neighbouring countries have to coexist. If either of their citizens crosses the border illegally then they should be tried under international law, not shot or tortured.”
Confirming the rise in border-killings, BGB director general, in a meeting with journalists during a visit to Chapainawabganj on April 15, asked everyone not to illegally cross the border into India.
BGB 9 commander Lieutenant Colonel Abu Zafar Sheikh Mohammad Bazlul Haq said: “People are being asked not to cross the borders illegally in regular awareness programmes. Their one mistake can affect their entire family. After the recent border-killing, the joint BGB-BSF patrols along the border have been strengthened.”
