The issue of border killing was reintroduced again in our discussion since 6 Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead at Bangladesh-India border by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) last January. There is no scope to deny that the Bangladeshi killing at India-Bangladesh border by the Border Security Force has now has become one of the major issues to bilateral relations between two countries. Several meetings were held between Border Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh to stop killing and torture at the border. Every time the Indian Border Security Force pledged to bring border killing and torture to zero.
The high level of the government of India also assured us repeatedly to bring down border killing. But in reality what we notice there is no implementation of their commitments. The situation has improved very little over the years. The arrogant behaviour of the BSF has not stinted. The number of order killing continues to rise instead of falling. Another worrying news is that, by violating international law, Indian Border Security Force often enter Bangladesh illegally and attack Bangladeshis and abduct them. We do not know the reason for such arrogant behaviour of BSF. We, the Bangladeshis, do not expect such misbehaviour from our neighbouring friend state.
India is a big democratic country in this region. Besides Bangladesh, there are land boundaries of Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan with India. But most deaths occur in India-Bangladesh border by Indian Border Security Force. Most of the killings were being occurred due to trivial reasons if we look back.
The list of complaints of human rights violation against Indian Border Security Force is very long. In 2011, the hanging dead body of Felani Khatun on barbed wire at India-Bangladesh border has became a symbol of the cruelty of the BSF. A voice raised around the world when inhuman scene of Falani's hanging body was published in various media. This incident was strongly condemned by various human rights organizations as well as the Bangladesh Government and the guilty BSF members were demanded for justice. Eight years passed since then but sadly the trial of the murder has not been ended yet. Such absence of justice gives rise to new crimes.
Of course we would like to see that the border guards of both the countries will play an important role against militants, terrorists, arms and drugs traffickers and smugglers in the border. In this regard, the border guards of the both countries will be aware so that no criminals can get away with doing crimes. All deserve that the culprits will be brought under justice and punished. But what message do we get from BSF when they enter Bangladesh inside by violating international law and show arrogant behaviour? Such perky behaviour of BSF is very unexpected. Such misbehavior of Indian Security Border Force is developing a kind of anti-Indian attitude among Bangladeshis young generations that is noted when Indian issues appear.
According to the human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) six Bangladeshis were shot dead by BSF in January. Another human rights organization ODHIKAR says that 144 Bangladeshis were killed and 227 more Bangladeshis injured by BSF in the last five years.
Bangladeshi people living in the border areas travel to India illegally for different needs. Besides, many Bangladeshis have relatives in India. For the sake of that relationship, many people try to cross the border illegally. But none of them stay in India for a long time. They return their homeland when they meet needs. I must accept that it is a crime to cross the border illegally. But I must also say that none of the Bangladeshis are so much threat to India's security that they will be shot dead as soon as Indian Border Security Force sees them.
There are also allegations against the BSF that Bangladeshis are also being killed or tortured due to wrongdoing in the zero line, not just crossing the border. Indian Border Security Force argues that they do not open fire on civilians; but when armed smugglers attacked them, they are forced to fire in self defence. But has BSF shown any strong evidence for this argument yet? I do not deny those who were shot dead, many of them crossed the border illegally or associated with smuggling but they are not of armed attackers.
Regarding the smuggling in bordering areas, the people of both sides have responsibilities. But in every incident unarmed Bangladeshis are just killed. People in both two countries are involved in smuggling at the border. Even there are complaints against many BSF members. Then why will the Bangladeshi people only be subjected to such cruel and brutal killing at the border? When a Bangladeshi illegally enters India's border areas, the BSF can arrest him or her and hand them over to the police. A case may be filed against trespassers and they may be brought under justice.
But they cannot shot them or torture. No sovereign state can ever accept such innocent killing, torture or abduction of its civilian citizens. Indian Border Security Force has been opening fire on border violating the compromise agreement and promises. These killings and torture are undoubtedly a clear violation of international law and human rights. Unfortunately, there is no fair trial of these cases. As a result, unexpected incidents such as torture and murder are increasing at border.
At present India is one of the world largest economic and democratic powers and Bangladesh is India's one of the friends in this region. But apparently India doesn't maintain friendly relation at the border. It's high time for India to realise that unarmed Bangladeshi killing at border is one of the biggest obstacles to make a friendly relations between the two countries. Also as a neighbouring state, we never expect such an illtreatment from a large democratic state like India. In order to build up a friendly relationship between the two countries in real sense, all the arrogant and inhumane behaviour of the BSF must be stopped.
http://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=189506
http://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=189506
