India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has once again been accused of brutality after allegedly beating a Bangladeshi youth to death near the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah and dumping his body in the Ichhamati River.
The deceased has been identified as Wasim, a resident of Baghadanga village in Maheshpur upazila, Jhenaidah. His body was discovered floating in the Ichhamati River on Friday, several days after he went missing. Family members had initially suspected that the floating body was Wasim’s.
According to locals and family members, Wasim had crossed into India on April 8 with a group for cattle trading. While returning, the group was reportedly chased by BSF personnel. All others managed to escape except Wasim, who was allegedly captured, tortured, and killed by BSF forces.
Local UP member Obaidul Islam said a farmer first spotted the body floating near Hudapara village. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was informed and confirmed the presence of a body. Due to the location being in Indian territory, BGB could not retrieve the body.
Several individuals who accompanied Wasim across the border confirmed to his family that the body was indeed his. His brother Mehedi Hasan and father Ramzan Ali have appealed for immediate recovery of the body.
Lieutenant Colonel Rafiqul Alam, commander of BGB 58 Battalion in Khalishpur, stated that BSF had been informed and a response was awaited. He added that no official identification had yet been made, nor had any family formally reported a missing person.
The local UNO and police authorities confirmed the presence of a body in the river but refrained from further comment until BGB completes their communication with BSF.
This incident follows a series of violent encounters at the Bangladesh-India border. On Tuesday, BSF allegedly beat another youth, Muradur Rahman Munna, to death in Brahmanbaria. Earlier this year, several other incidents of BSF firing and brutality were reported across various border points, leaving multiple Bangladeshi citizens dead or injured.
Liberty News’ crime correspondent states that according to human rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), BSF has killed 293 Bangladeshis at the border over the last decade, raising serious concerns over cross-border violence and lack of accountability.
LND/BG
