Sections of BSF, BGB personnel 'directly or indirectly' involved in cross border smuggling

By Kirity Roy*

The Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) of Bangladesh met for 54th Director General level meeting at Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 5th to 9th March, 2024 to discuss on minimizing killings at border area, illegal intrusion, trafficking of drugs and other narcotics, smuggling of arms and ammunitions and other crimes at bordering areas. Further, the summit had an agenda to discuss on overall development in 150 yards area at both sides of the border and design an activity plan for the same.

We at the Banglar Manabadhikar Surakksha Mancha (MASUM) welcome this initiative but with a cautious observation on their sincerity and honesty.

Through a press release, we came to know that the two forces have decided to minimise the incidents of physical torture, killings and bodily harm upon Bangladeshi villagers in to zero through joint root marches and overall developmental actions but the statement is not uttered a single word on killings and physical harms upon Indian citizenry.

Despite the fact that India and Bangladesh are friendly countries, the Indo-Bangladesh border is the most vulnerable and violent border in the world registering severe bloodshed on a daily basis. On an average a person is being killed every two days in the Indo-Bangladesh border by the BSF. In case of each of these deaths, surprisingly a couple of things remain constant — deceased is criminal in police case according to complaint of BSF and the murderer enjoys impunity.

Trigger happy BSF has no respect upon democratic institutions like NHRC. Though this joint statement conveyed its pain on the killing of BGB personal at 24 Parganas (North), West Bengal by the posted BSF personnel but there were serious procedural flaws on investigation and handing over the body (see MASUM statement on January 25, 2024).

We categorically said:

“….This incident once again proves trigger happy characteristics of the border guards of India; the BSF. The Border Security Force authority cannot be given the right to behave as the executioner. Most important part is that though the deceased was a BGB personal but there was no evidence that he has made any attack to the BSF personnel during the whole incident.

"The higher-ups of BGB categorically said that from BGB did not use any single bullet in the incident. Border Security Force personnel with the help of firearms fired at him and killed him and it was not a retaliatory action. In this case, instead of arresting the person and handing him over to the police, the Border Security Force personnel fired him to death. In no circumstances, involvement in cross border smuggling or illegal entry to India attract death penalty...”

In this statement, the BSF higher ups made pretense on their concern about the development of bordering areas; in real term, they are regularly constraining the economic activities of the villagers by restricting their normal movements, arbitrarily encroaching to their free choice of cultivation and other business activities. The civil and BSF authorities using the BADP money in non permissible accounts without any check while the citizenry of bordering areas of West Bengal living under abject marginalization.

The BSF use pellet guns in the Indo-Bangladesh borders in order to combat crimes. Several Indian and Bangladeshi innocent persons are victims of these pellet guns including severe injury even resulting to death. Many of these victims lost their sight due to pellet injury. We also demand justice for these victims of torture and the family members of the persons who were killed in border by the BSF. We suggested to constitute joint investigating team consisting the members of National Human Rights Commission of India and Jatiya Manabadhikar Commission of Bangladesh.

MASUM is facilitating two cases, which are pending before the Supreme Court of India – 1. Md. Nur Islam versus Union of India (WP 141 (criminal) of 2015 generally known as Felani Khatun case; and 2. Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha versus Union of India (WP (Civil) 218 of 2012) where we prayed an order declaring section 46 and 47 of BSF Act, 1968 is ultra vires to Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

Felani Khatun was shot dead on 7th January 2011 by BSF personnel while she was illegally trying to cross the barbed wire from India to Bangladesh. Human Rights organisations of India and Bangladesh made protests to this ghastly murder. BSF’s security court acquitted the accused. Later, an appellate court of BSF also made order for acquittal.

Indo-Bangladesh border is the most vulnerable and violent border in the world registering severe bloodshed on a daily basis

NHRC took up the case and observed that the killing was uncalled-for, as at the time of the incident, she was unarmed not even stones have been seized from her by the BSF and in no way she was in position to attack BSF personnel. NHRC recommended for monetary compensation to the family but till date Ministry of Home Affairs of India refused to oblige NHRC recommendation. MASUM facilitated the writ petition in Supreme Court of India. Both the cases are pending for long in Supreme Court of India.

The statement showed their concern over cross border smuggling of narcotics, fire arms and explosives, fake currency and gold and prescribed for Coordinated Border Management Plan, but the fact which is known to all concerned person is that, a large section of BSF and BGB personnel has direct or indirect involvement in cross border smuggling. The statement showed its concern regarding the life and liberty of the people living within150 yards of international border but in real sense, BSF made the life hell to the people living in these area, arbitrary restrictions of many hues, infringement on liberty and threat to life is the rule of the day.

The joint statement stated that both the countries will show zero tolerance in case of illegal intrusion but silent about the 1st May, 2012 memorandum of the Home Department of the Government of India, in which the Government of India said that the Bangladeshi women and children, who are being apprehended by the BSF for crossing the international border as trafficked or in search of jobs, should not be treated as criminals, and they should be allocated to a government transit home and repatriated to Bangladesh, maintaining due procedure.

Indian Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs made many recommendations on BSF’s activities and roles in 2017, MASUM demands a complete adherence of these recommendations.

At last MASUM will eagerly wait to see the outcomes of this summit level meeting of BSF and BGB with a hope that one day, the bordering areas between India and Bangladesh will be violence free and citizenry will enjoy the constitutional rights and guarantees.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM); National Convenor, Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), Hooghly

Comments

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.

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।

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...

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...

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 ...

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.

Haven't done a good deed, inner soul is cursing me as sinner: Aurangzeb's last 'will'

Counterview Desk The Tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the strong Mughal emperors, located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, has this epitaph inscribed on it: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e maa 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).

Search This Blog