BSF responsible for 'killing' of Bangladeshi youth, investigate impartially: Plea to NHRC

Counterview Desk
Human rights defender Kirity Roy, secretary of the West Bengal-based Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), in a representation to the chairperson, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has alleged that the Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for the killing of a Bangladeshi youth. Second incident this year (click here for the earlier incident), Roy said, “As usual the BSF complaint mentioned that there was a group of men involved in cross border smuggling and they intended to attack the BSF party while restricted and self defence two BSF personnel shot one round each.”
But, said Roy, the villagers informed the fact-finding mission that the Bangladeshi youth was alone when he was fired by the BSF personal and that the deceased was carrying a headload, thus was not in a position to attack. He added, “The incident violates the rights guaranteed in Article 21 of Indian Constitution, and the premise of Article 2 and 6 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international instrument.”

Text:

I want to draw your attention over another incident of brutal killing of a Bangladeshi youth by Border Security Force personnel attached with ‘Amar’ Border Outpost of ‘C’ Company of 6 BSF Battalion. The incident took place on 28.01.2024. This act is not only ruthless but treacherous as the BSF while meeting its counterpart at Bangladesh, vouching to low down the causality of Bangladeshis to zero at bordering area.
It was reported that on the fateful day; 28.01.2024 at around 4:30 AM, a Bangladeshi youth named Rabiul Islam alias Tuklu aged about 34 years, son of Mr. Afjal Hossein, resident of village- Dangapara, Post Office & Police Station- Patgram of District- Lalmonirhat of Bangladesh was killed by gunfire of BSF personnel attached with above mentioned unit at 93 Fulkabari village under Bagdogra Gram Panchayet under Kuchlibari Police Station of Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. The place of occurrence was at opposite to international border pillar number DAMP 1/MP and 250 (approximate) away from international border. It was reported that when the incident occurred, the deceased was carrying a bag containing 50 kilograms of sugar on his head and was trying to smuggle it out to Bangladesh. By this fact, it is evident that the deceased was not in a position to attack the ‘Insas’ riffle carrying BSF personnel. Later, an inquest was done over the body at around 6.00 AM on 28.01.2024 by an Executive Magistrate and police and then the body was sent for post mortem examination at Mathabhanga Sub Divisional Hospital. On the same date at evening the body was handed over to Bangladeshi authority through a flag meeting.
One Mr. Brijlal Yadav; Sub Inspector; Reg No. 860031134 of BSF submitted a written complaint to the Kuchlibari PS and his complaint was registered Kuchlibari PS Case No. 18/24 dated 28.01.2024 under sections 147/148/149/186/188/332/333/353/307/379/411 of Indian Penal Code and 14 A/14 C of the Foreigners Act. The accused of this case was mentioned as 1. One unknown Bangladeshi national 2. One Pradip Roy, son of Sushil Roy of 93 Fulkabari 3. One Naresh Roy, son of Late Malo Roy of 101 Fulkabari 4. One Bishnu Roy, son of Late Brojen Roy of 93 Fulkabari.
This written complaint was concocted in nature and that is manifested by its content. As usual the BSF complaint mentioned that there was a group of men involved in cross border smuggling and they intended to attack the BSF party while restricted and self defence two BSF personnel shot one round each, but the villagers at the mentioned village informed the fact-finding mission that the Bangladeshi youth was alone when he was fired by the BSF personal, it was also reported that the deceased was carrying a headload thus not in a position to attack, secondly, no BSF personnel of the party received an injury to their body part. Our fact-finding mission further revealed that the co accused of the mentioned case; except the deceased Bangladeshi youth, are peace loving bonafide Indian citizen, have no involvement with cross border smuggling. There was no incident of cross border smuggling in that village. Their only fault was that they are residing at the adjacent area of the place of occurrence. It was a clear intension of BSF to make them accuse and force them to keep quiet on the incident.
Intriguingly the incident took place at around 4:30 AM of 28 January 2024, police and executive magistrate reached the spot at around 6:00 AM; as also mentioned in BSF’s written complaint but the record of Kuchlibari police station is showing that the General Dairy Reference Entry Number 1063 has been made at 23:50 and the column for ‘Reasons for delay in reporting by the Complainant information’ is blank and in other word is silent over the reason for delay.of reporting the incident of murder about 17 hours! The Officer in Charge of Kuchlibari PS and Recording Officer of that PS, Mr. Ajay Roy also manufactured the official document by putting the name of complainant at left side bottom of that FIR form.

Now question arises – who declared Mr. Rabiul as dead? There was no doctor present at the place of incident. But one Executive Magistrate and police was present at the place of occurrence and conducted an “Inquest”. Thus a nexus between BSF, Police and Executive Magistrate are visible in this story. All of them tried to cover up the incident of killing. If the wounded person was taken to a hospital, then he may disclose the real story. The Company Commander of Amar and Arjun BOP of 6BN BSF, the OC of Kuchlibari PS Mr. Ajay Roy and his staff and the Executive Magistrate present there to conduct the inquest under section 164 Cr.P.C. – all should be booked for murder, destroying the evidence and giving false evidence.
This only validate the fact that another Bangladeshi youth has been killed by the trigger happy BSF personal without any justified reason and in contrary to their official stance of minimizing killing at India Bangladesh border.
The incident violates the rights guaranteed in Article 21 of Indian Constitution, to every person inside the Indian territory and the premise of Article 2 and 6 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international instrument; the government of India is a party and have agreement.
Hence, I demand for:

An impartial and urgent investigation by Commission’s own investigation team
A specific case of murder must be registered against the involved BSF personnel
A specific case of destroying the evidences and giving false evidences should be initiated against Mr. Ajay Roy and connecting police personnel of Kuchlibari PS
A specific case of destroying the evidence and giving false evidence should be initiated against the Executive Magistrate who conducted the inquest over Mr Rabiul
Monetary compensation must be provided to the deceased’s family
Witnesses must be protected from threat and allurement

Comments

राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी: जल जीवन मिशन के लक्ष्य को पाने समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी

- राज कुमार सिन्हा* जल संसाधन से जुड़ी स्थायी समिति ने वर्तमान लोकसभा सत्र में पेश रिपोर्ट में बताया है कि "नल से जल" मिशन में राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी साबित हुए हैं। जबकि देश के 11 राज्यों में शत-प्रतिशत ग्रामीणों को नल से जल आपूर्ति शुरू कर दी गई है। रिपोर्ट में समिति ने केंद्र सरकार को सिफारिश की है कि मिशन पुरा करने में राज्य सरकारों की समस्याओं पर गौर किया जाए।

Beyond his riding skill, Karl Umrigar was admired for his radiance, sportsmanship, and affability

By Harsh Thakor* Karl Umrigar's name remains etched in the annals of Indian horse racing, a testament to a talent tragically cut short. An accident on the racetrack at the tender age of nineteen robbed India of a rider on the cusp of greatness. Had he survived, there's little doubt he would have ascended to international stature, possibly becoming the greatest Indian jockey ever. Even 46 years after his death, his name shines brightly, reminiscent of an inextinguishable star. His cousin, Pesi Shroff, himself blossomed into one of the most celebrated jockeys in Indian horse racing.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

Aurangzeb’s last will recorded by his Maulvi: Allah shouldn't make anyone emperor

By Mohan Guruswamy Aurangzeb’s grave is a simple slab open to the sky lying along the roadside at Khuldabad near Aurangabad. I once stopped by to marvel at the tomb of an Emperor of India whose empire was as large as Ashoka the Great's. It was only post 1857 when Victoria's domain exceeded this. The epitaph reads: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast." (The rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave) The modest tomb of Aurangzeb is perhaps the least recognised legacies of the Mughal Emperor who ruled the land for fifty eventful years. He was not a builder having expended his long tenure in war and conquest. Towards the end of his reign and life, he realised the futility of it all. He wrote: "Allah should not make anyone an emperor. The most unfortunate person is he who becomes one." Aurangzeb’s last will was re...

PUCL files complaint with SC against Gujarat police, municipal authorities for 'unlawful' demolitions, custodial 'violence'

By A Representative The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India, urging the Supreme Court to initiate suo-moto contempt proceedings against the police and municipal authorities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complaint alleges that these officials have engaged in unlawful demolitions and custodial violence, in direct violation of a Supreme Court order issued in November 2024.

Incarcerated for 2,424 days, Sudhir Dhawale combines Ambedkarism with Marxism

By Harsh Thakor One of those who faced incarceration both under Congress and BJP rule, Sudhir Dhawale was arrested on June 6, 2018, one of the first six among the 16 people held in what became known as the Elgar Parishad case. After spending 2,424 days in incarceration, he became the ninth to be released from jail—alongside Rona Wilson, who walked free with him on January 24. The Bombay High Court granted them bail, citing the prolonged imprisonment without trial as a key factor. I will always remember the moments we spent together in Mumbai between 1998 and 2006, during public meetings and protests across a wide range of issues. Sudhir was unwavering in his commitment to Maoism, upholding the torch of B.R. Ambedkar, and resisting Brahmanical fascism. He sought to bridge the philosophies of Marxism and Ambedkarism. With boundless energy, he waved the banner of liberation, becoming the backbone of the revolutionary democratic centre in Mumbai and Maharashtra. He dedicated himself ...

Censor Board's bullying delays 'Phule': A blow to India's democratic spirit

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* A film based on the life and legacy of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule was expected to release today. Instead, its release has been pushed to the last week of April. The reason? Protests by self-proclaimed guardians of caste pride—certain Brahmin groups—and forced edits demanded by a thoroughly discredited Censor Board.

State Human Rights Commission directs authorities to uphold environmental rights in Vadodara's Vishwamitri River Project

By A Representative The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has ordered state and Vadodara municipal authorities to strictly comply with environmental and human rights safeguards during the Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project, stressing that the river’s degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and violates citizens’ rights to a healthy environment. The Commission mandated an immediate halt to ecologically destructive practices, rehabilitation of affected communities, transparent adherence to National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and public consultations with experts and residents. The order follows the Concerned Citizens of Vadodara coalition—environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners—submitting a detailed letter to authorities, amplifying calls for accountability. The group warned that current plans to “re-section” and “desilt” the river contradict the NGT’s 2021 Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodpla...

CPM’s evaluation of BJP reflects its political character and its reluctance to take on battle against neo-fascism

By Harsh Thakor* A controversial debate has emerged in the revolutionary camp regarding the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s categorization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many Communists criticize the CPM’s reluctance to label the BJP as a fascist party and India as a fascist state. Various factors must be considered to arrive at an accurate assessment. Understanding the original meaning and historical development of fascism is essential, as well as analyzing how it manifests in the present global and national context.

Implications of deaths of Maoist leaders G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya in Chhattisgarh

By Harsh Thakor* In the wake of recent security operations in southern Chhattisgarh, two senior Maoist leaders, G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya, were killed. These operations, which took place amidst a historically significant Maoist presence, resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals on March 20th and 16 more three days prior.

Search This Blog