Borders Along Southwestern Region
BSF kills 33, injures 67 Bangladeshis last year
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) killed at least 33 Bangladeshis and injured 67 others last year along the borders of southwestern (S-W) region.
Another 64 Bangladeshis were abducted by BSF during the period. Thirty-three of them are still in different Indian jails, according to information gathered from BDR, police and through newspaper reports.
The death figures were 36 in 2009, 47 in 2008, 33 in 2007, 62 in 2006 and 104 in 2005.
Satkhira border was the most troubled spot last year where 13 Bangladeshis were killed. Twelve of them were cattle traders.
Of the dead, 18 were killed in BSF firing while the rest in torture.
Nine Bangladeshis were killed along Jessore border while five in Jhenidah border, two in Meherpur border, 13 in Satkhira border, three in Kushtia border and one in Chuadanga border.
According to sources, eight of them were farmers and the rest were cattle traders.
BSF picked two BDR personnel while they were chasing a gang of smugglers at Kalapara border point in Chuadanga on December 10, 2010. They were later freed.
BSF also opened fire at different frontiers. At least eight such firing incidents took place during the period when BSF fired 26 rounds of bullets.
Of them, two took place in Jessore border, 16 in Satkhira, three in Chuadanga and two in Kushtia border, one in Meherpur border and two in Jhenidah border points.
Incidents of killings and abductions continued though BSF at high profile meetings agreed to show restraint. BDR and BSF signed several agreements to maintain peace on borders and resolve 'major disputes through discussion', BDR sources said.
A series of flag meetings were also held at different border points during the period.
“Though both sides agreed to take 'effective measures' to keep border peaceful, BSF continues to kill Bangladeshis,” a high official of BGB in southwestern region said, seeking anonymity.
Lt Col Sultan Ahmed, Commanding Officer (CO) of 35 Rifles Battalion Chuadanga, a few days ago told this correspondent over phone “We always urge them to show tolerance on issues, particularly involving innocent civilians,”.
Local people alleged that BSF have been creating panic on the border. Even farmers are afraid of cultivating their lands close to borders, they said when this correspondent visited several spots in different bordering areas of Kushtia and Meherpur.
BSF picked five children while they were playing near the border in Daulatpur under Kushtia frontier on October 18 last year. Indian authorities returned them through flag meeting after two days, Arif Hossain, a local claimed.
"They (BSF) do not allow any adult Bangladeshi to come near the border even during day time," a BDR personnel told this correspondent when he visited the bordering area in Kushtia.
"Smugglers on both sides of the border are active at different points. This is also a major cause of BSF firing," a BOP (Border Observation Post) commander at Thotarpara border point in Bangladesh said.
Cross-border movement of smugglers prompts not only BSF but also BDR to fire, he added.
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