Despite nine years having elapsed since the murder of their daughter, Felani Khatun’s parents Nur Islam and Jahanara Begum remain hopeful of justice being done for their child.
Though the Indian Border Security Guard’s (BSF) General Security Force court acquitted the accused BSF member Amiya Ghosh, the victim’s parents are still optimistic about getting due justice for their daughter’s cruel murder.
Nur Islam was speaking on Tuesday on the ninth anniversary of Felani’s murder.
On the foggy morning of January 7, 2011, 14 year-old Felani’s body was left hanging mercilessly over the barbed wire fence of the India-Bangladesh border in Anantapur, Fulbari Upazila in Kurigram. The girl had been shot by BSF member Amiya Ghosh as she tried to re-enter Bangladesh.
Her body was left hanging over the fence for over five hours. Later, it was handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) by BSF, following a two-day long flag meeting between the two security forces.
Felani was then buried at her patriarchal home in Ramkhana Union under Nageshwari Upazila in Kurigram.
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The horrific image of Felani’s hanging body generated a global outcry and despite the Indian government’s attempt to avoid accountability, the Bangladesh government and international human rights organizations vehemently protested the murder and applied pressure on the Indian authorities for swift justice for the victim.
Subsequently on August 13, 2013, court proceedings began at the General Security Force court, situated at 181 BSF Battalion headquarters in India. However, the court acquitted the accused BSF member on September 6 of the same year.
When Felani’s parents rejected the verdict, court proceedings began again on September 22, 2014 and the court acquitted the accused on July 2, 2015.
After rejecting the second verdict, Felani’s father, along with the Kolkata-based human rights organization Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha’s General Secretary Kirity Roy joint filed a writ-petition with the Indian Supreme Court. In 2015, a bench headed by the Chief Justice accepted the writ and served a notice to the defendants asking for a response.
The defendants followed suit but ever since their submission, the apex court is yet to hold another hearing after a repeated deferring of court dates.
Earlier on August 27, 2013, Felani’s father and Salma Ali, Executive Director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, had filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court of India but to no avail since not a single hearing was held for the writ.
‘Felani’s memories yet to be erased’
Speaking at a milad and dua mahfil held for Felani on Tuesday at their home in Colonitari village under Ramkhana Union in Nageshwari Upazila, her father Nur Islam said: “Even though nine years have gone by, Felani’s memories are yet to be erased. We are still hoping to receive justice and still believe that the Indian Supreme Court will punish Amiya Ghosh.”
Furthermore, he urged the Bangladesh government to ensure justice for Felani’s family by bringing up the issue after national-level dialogue between the two countries.
Kurigram's Public Prosecutor Abraham Lincoln, who is also a legal advisor to Felani’s family said: “Felani’s writ-petition was on the Indian Supreme Court’s case list for two years. It is not on the list anymore.”
“Since both the parties have submitted their responses, the swift disposal of the writ will be a relief for Felani’s family as well as for the two neighbouring countries,” he added.
DU students stage demonstration on ninth anniversary of Felani’s murder
Nine progressive student organizations jointly staged a demonstration and brought out a procession to mark the ninth anniversary of Felani’s murder near the TSC circle of Dhaka University on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Chhatra Union President Mehdi Hassan Noble, speaking on the occasion, said: “Ever since we achieved independence, there have been multiple instances of border killings and yet every time the government has maintained silence. Felani’s case is no different.”
Biplobi Chhatra Moitri President Iqbal Kabir observed: “Felani’s murder can be discussed in two ways – firstly, killing people by shooting them and leaving their bodies hanging on barbed wire fences is the cruelest form of degradation in terms of humanity. Secondly, through the lens of states, since we did not see any reaction from the Bangladesh government, and it did not take any steps to ensure justice.”
