ASK’s Grave Concern and Condemnation

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its grave concern and condemnation over the incident of two Bangladeshis being killed and another being injured in the firing of the BSF, the Border Security Force of India, and also urges to the authorities concerned to strengthen their diplomatic efforts to stop such killings.

Different media reported that on July 2, 2012 one was killed at the Benapole Border of Jessore district and another was killed along with one more injured at the Kolaroa Border of Satkhira district being shot by the BSF. It is also reported by the media that the cattle trader who was killed at Benapole Border was randomly beaten, stabbed and fired, and then after confirmation of his death, his body was thrown in the Ichhamoti River by the BSF. It should be mentioned here that for a long time, the BSF has been engaged in such killings violating the international rules. Although the Indian authority has repeatedly assured that the BSF shall be sensible and cautious in using fire arms in the Border and if necessary, shall use only rubber bullets, no reflection of their promise has been observed in reality. According to the information available to ASK, from January to June this year, 19 Bangladeshis have been killed and 56 have been tortured by the BSF in the Borders. A recent report by the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch has also depicted the barbaric activities of the BSF.

We expect that the authority will take a strong stance to stop such killing of Bangladeshi citizens in the Borders and shall put diplomatic pressure on the Indian authorities to take effective steps regarding the matter.