Bangladesh and India share an international border of about 5000 kilometres. Five Indian states adjoin 28 Bangladesh districts on the border. India has already fenced in about 70 per cent of the border, secured by BGB Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India, with barbed wire. The major peacetime duties of both forces include preventing the trans-border smuggling, especially narcotics, fake coins and currency, explosives, human trafficking, illegal cross-border movement of people and prevention of other crimes.
It is a matter of tension that the indiscriminate and extrajudicial killings have increased significantly in the border, mostly by the BSF men who killed 1000 Bangladeshi citizens over the past decade (Source: Human Rights Watch), that is, one killing every four days over the period. Have any punishments been given to the culprits involved in these killings? The BSF insists that there are internal investigations, and are unwilling to reveal anything. This apparent impunity encourages the BSF members to continue the killing spree. Human Rights Watch defined it as 'Trigger-Happy Culture' of BSF.
"The border force seems to be out of control, with orders to shoot any suspect," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch. The organisation found numerous cases of indiscriminate use of force, arbitrary detention, torture, and killings by the security force, without adequate investigation or punishment. The investigation and report of HRW is based on over 100 interviews with victims, witnesses, human rights defenders, journalists, law-enforcement officials, BSF and BGB members. In many of the cases investigated by the Human Rights Watch, the victims were cattle rustlers - farmers or labourers hoping to support their meagre livelihood as couriers in the lucrative, but illegal cattle trade which is rampant at the Paschimbanga border. Reportedly, the illegal trade between the two countries amount to 3/4th of regular trade.
The Indian satellite channel NDTV recently telecast a video where several BSF jawans (personnel) were seen severely beating up a Bangladeshi youth after stripping him naked for failing of pay them a bribe of Indian rupee 1000 (US$23). When everyone is singing the song of humanity, how are we turning a blind eye to these killings? The Bangladesh government is obliged to protect the lives of its citizens, even those who may be involved in illegal trade. It should demand of the Indian government to stop these killings. Unfortunately, comments of Bangladesh ministers and leaders of the ruling party are sometimes confusing. In the last official visit, Indian premier Dr Manmohon Singh assured that border killings would cease but actually it is not true. When nine Indian fishermen were apprehended by Sri Lankan navy inside Lankan territorial waters, India did not take it so easily.
The Indian premier asserted that they would not take any action which will cause any harm to Bangladesh, but they are building 'Tipaimukh Dam' which, many quarters fear, may become a death trap for the people living in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. India is poised to enjoy transit facilities through Bangladesh, but in turn giving us virtually nothing. Even, they are not willing to give us our legitimate share of water of the trans-boundary rivers. As the upper riparian country, India always takes the absolute advantage of the international rivers, but when China does the same with India they raise a hue and cry.
We urge all Bangladeshis, including expatriates, and to the world community to raise their voice against these extrajudicial killings in the India-Bangladesh border.
This article was published on The Financial Express, Editorial, (Saturday, February 12, 2012)
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