Editorial
Border killings
Why can't the BSF be reined in by its government?
In spite of assurances by the Indian government and pronouncements of declaring moratorium on BSF firing, deaths of Bangladeshi civilians continue to occur at the hands of the BSF.
It appears that a new method of handling apprehended Bangladeshis has been evolved. In one recent instance a Bangladeshi cattle trader was caught by the BSF while crossing the border. He was severely beaten up by his captors. The matter was confirmed by the local BDR commander. Later, reportedly, he was thrown in the Padma River after cutting his tendons. This is the second such incident of beating to death by the members of the same BSF camp in less than a week.
One wonders whether the BSF has changed its modus operandi insofar as handling of 'trespassers' is concerned. It is quite inconceivable that a person taken into custody should be subjected to inhuman treatment instead of being proceeded against as per the law. Even trespassers have the right to the established legal procedures instead of being summarily dispatched.
It is regrettable that death is still occurring at BSF hands. We had in the columns of this paper brought out the need to sensitize those guarding the borders, particularly on the Indian side, to refrain from precipitate actions. The number of Bangladeshi deaths along the border is not in sync with the efforts to usher in the new era of friendship and amity that the two governments are working for.
During the visit of Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in January, both the prime ministers had agreed that the respective border guarding forces exercise restraint and
prevent loss of lives. In fact similar commitments were also made by the Indian side at a subsequent meeting in March this year between the heads of the two border forces. The BDR chief had taken up with his counterpart the issue of firing by the BSF along the Indo-Bangla border resulting in the death of innocent Bangladeshi civilians. Where is the reflection of those sentiments, we wonder?
The BDR has for its part exercised restraint when needed. A case in point is when during July Indian civilians had intruded into our territory not a single shot was fired by the BDR. So much was the BDR restraint that in fact it had to face the flak of the locals for their 'inaction.'
We feel the matter should be taken up at higher level of the governments. The manner of the killings calls for investigation by the Indian government. Needless to say, such deaths only help in causing apprehension and distrust rather than improving relationship between the two neighbours which is of utmost import to both.
All the ideas of successful border management will come to naught if such aggressive attitude is not curbed.
Border killings
A comment that caught my attention:
"The cause of border killing is deep rooted. If you look at the border killing, you will find that only the cattle traders are killed. Why? You have to think seriously to find it out. The BSF is beating, killing and throwing their bodies in the river. Why? it is a kind of retaliation. Something works in the mind of the BSF members. You have to find out what deep rooted belief they have in their mind. Please think and find out.
"
- Anonymous in USA