Editorial
Border killings
We view it with great concern
The frequent killings of Bangladeshi citizens by BSF are a matter of great concern for us. The figure of deaths and abductions in the last two days of the New Year is extremely disquieting. And last year, according to “Ain O Shalishi Kendro†at least 48 Bangladeshis met their death in BSF fire and 319 were tortured by them. Also during that time 106 Bangladeshis sustained injuries while 140 were abducted by the Indian border forces.
Incidences of border firing and abduction are extremely distressing, more so when we see the repetition of these despite the assurances from the highest political level in India that the BSF personnel would be restrained. And further, Bangladesh was given the assurance two years ago that henceforth lethal ammunition would not be used. The regular DG and commander level meetings at all levels have recognised the magnitude of the issue, but going by the records, no substantive action has been taken by India to see that the assurances were honoured.
In this regard we view the comments of the Bangladesh Home Minister, that during his last visit to India both countries had agreed to resort to firing in self-defence, with a bit of reservation. We feel 'self defence' lends itself to very wide and subjective definition. And we fail to understand how cattle traders or trespassers, we are certain that given the nature of the terrain and the border there would be a few of these, pose threat to the heavily armed Indian BSF. We are yet to see the lethal weapons that these so-called 'threats' were carrying on their person when they were shot down by the Indian border guards.
It needs no repetition that deaths and torture of Bangladeshi citizens at the hands of the BSF creates an adverse mind frame, particularly among the border population. And saying mere 'sorry' from time to time by Indian officials does not help alleviate the problem.
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