Border killings may hinder repatriation of Indian intruders: BGB chief
If such incidents continue, Bangladesh will adopt even stricter measures, warns Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui
If Bangladeshis continue to be killed by the Border Security Forces (BSF) at the Indian border due to alleged trespassing, the process of repatriating Indian intruders in line with the laws will become more difficult, said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui today (1 March).
He made the remark after the inauguration ceremony of the newly formed Ukhiya Battalion of the BGB in Cox's Bazar this morning, reports Jamuna Television.
The BGB chief emphasised that preventing border killings is a top priority for the paramilitary force, saying that killing people — whether due to trespassing or any other reason — cannot be a final solution.
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He warned that if such incidents continue, Bangladesh will adopt even stricter measures.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was also present at the event.
The BGB chief further mentioned that these killings occur inside Indian territory beyond the zero line and BGB is making efforts to prevent Bangladeshis from crossing into Indian territory.
Additionally, he confirmed that Bangladesh has strongly protested to India regarding these border killings.
Maj Gen Ashrafuzzaman's warnings came after a Bangladeshi man was shot dead by BSF at the Putia border in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria last night (28 February).
The deceased, Al Amin, 32, was a resident of Dakkhin Putia village under Bayek Union.
Kasba Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Samiul Islam, citing BGB personnel, said, "At around 7:30pm on Friday, Al Amin was suspiciously roaming near the barbed-wire fence at the Putia border. At that time, BSF personnel on patrol shot him, suspecting him to be a smuggler."
"Al Amin sustained severe injuries, and the BSF took him inside Indian territory. He succumbed to his injuries around 9pm," he added.
Samiul further said, "A flag meeting between BGB and BSF will be held to bring back the deceased's body."
