Today marks eight years since the death anniversary of Felani Khatun, the adolescent Bangladeshi who was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) as she crossed the Indo-Bangla border into Bangladesh.
The incident triggered a global outcry and is yet to be met with justice.
The 15-year-old’s family, and the world, still awaits an appeal to be made to the court. Felani’s father, Nurul Islam, is hopeless about the two petitions that appealed to the High Court since the incident.
The main accused of the murder, BSF member, Amiya Ghosh—along with his superior officers—have twice been found “not guilty” at a special trial of the General Security Forces Court.
Nurul Islam says: "It has been eight years that my daughter has not been served justice after her brutal death by the BSF. Even though the accused, Amiya Ghosh, is found not guilty, I have gathered all my hope and appealed to the High Court in India. I am certain I will get my justice there and my daughter's soul will finally rest in peace."
Nurul demands justice for Felani and an end to border killings.
On January 7, 2011, Felani Khattan was shot, allegedly by Amiya Ghosh, the BSF member of 181 Battalion. The young girl, from East Bengal, lived and worked in New Delhi; however, her marriage was arranged in Bangladesh. Felani and her father attempted to cross the border. While crossing, Felani's dress became stuck in the barbed wire at the border, and BSF opened fire on her. Felani was left up-side down, tangled in the barbed wire for four hours. As she pleaded for water during her last breath, no one came forward to help. The image of Felani's death went viral, internationally, and started an outcry.
On 13th August, 2013, the protest against Ghosh began at BSF's court.
Again, on September 22, 2014 a special hearing of Felani's murder took place at the General Security Forces Court.
