Living in the ground zero of border killings | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Living in the ground zero of border killings

Living in the ground zero of border killings

In Focus

Parvez Ahmad
16 July, 2021, 08:35 am
Last modified: 16 July, 2021, 03:32 pm

Related News

  • Bangladeshi youth 'shot dead' by BSF at Thakurgaon border
  • BSF pushes 10 people into Bangladesh
  • BSF pushes 25 more people into Bangladesh through Moulvibazar border
  • BSF pushes 9 more individuals into Bangladesh through Khagrachhari border
  • BSF pushes 20 more into Bangladesh through Chapainawabganj border

Living in the ground zero of border killings

Parvez Ahmad
16 July, 2021, 08:35 am
Last modified: 16 July, 2021, 03:32 pm

I grew up in a place close to the Bangladesh-India border.

Informal cross-border movement is widespread here because during the partition, the Radcliffe Line put many extended family members on the other side of the border, turning them into foreign nationals.

Also, it was not news for me that the smuggling of goods is what keeps the local economy alive. Local influential quarters and corrupt law enforcers are often allegedly involved in the illicit trades.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

This illegal cross-border movement of goods and persons often puts people in harm's way. Border fatality at the hands of the border forces are very high along the Bangladesh-India border.

In my early adulthood, I wondered why the mere carriers of smuggled goods were taking the bullets? I often asked, why are the victims predominantly Bangladeshis?

As a photojournalist, in 2012, I started working on border violence with this deceptively simple question in mind. Nine years later, now I know, this high rate of border violence is the ultimate manifestation of the unequal relationship between the two countries.

In this visual reportage, I tell the story of people living in the ground zero of border killings.

Cattle coming from India near Chapainababgonj border waiting for the clearance at Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi. Expansion of legal means of trades could reduce smuggling in the border. 6 November 2018. Photo: Parvez Ahmad
Cattle coming from India near Chapainababgonj border waiting for the clearance at Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi. Expansion of legal means of trades could reduce smuggling in the border. 6 November 2018. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

Two men from Bangladesh and India meet at Hili land port, Dinajpur, on the occasion of a cross-border wedding. Hili, Dinajpur; 5 May 2017. Photo: Parvez Ahmad
Two men from Bangladesh and India meet at Hili land port, Dinajpur, on the occasion of a cross-border wedding. Hili, Dinajpur; 5 May 2017. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

Fenced Bangladesh-India border near Behular char, Roumari, Kurigram. 24 September 2016. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

Asadul Haque’s corpse being carried by BSF personnel for handing over to BGB on the No Man’s Land between Bangladesh and India at Aditmari, Lalmonirhat. 13 December 2016. Photo: Parvez Ahmad
Asadul Haque’s corpse being carried by BSF personnel for handing over to BGB on the No Man’s Land between Bangladesh and India at Aditmari, Lalmonirhat. 13 December 2016. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

A Bangladeshi national, Khalilur Rahman, was shot dead by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bhujaripara border. Grief-stricken family members before the body was taken for burial. Dimla, Balapara, Nilphamari; 17 January 2019. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

Milon Hossain suffered a serious pallet-bullet wound in the eyes near Patgram, Lalmonirhat. He lost his sight forever. National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, Agargaon, Dhaka; 24 December 2020. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

On the tenth anniversary of Felani Khatun’s death, a photography exhibition was organised at the premises of her home. Nageswari, Kurigram; January 7, 2021. Photo: Parvez Ahmad
On the tenth anniversary of Felani Khatun’s death, a photography exhibition was organised at the premises of her home. Nageswari, Kurigram; January 7, 2021. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

On International Women’s Day 2020, a photography exhibition was organised commemorating Felani Khatun who was killed by Border Security Force of India on January 7, 2011. Raju Bhashkarja, Dhaka University, Dhaka; March 8, 2020. Photo: Parvez Ahmad

Features / Top News

Border killing / BSF

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam speaks at a press conference in Khulna on 16 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Gopalganj attack: Nahid demands arrest of culprits within 24 hours
  • Photo: TBS
    Gopalganj under heavy security as tension persists amid curfew
  • The supporters of local Awami League and Chhatra League locked in a clash with police following attacks on NCP convoy this afternoon (16 July). Photo: Collected
    Gopalganj under curfew tonight; 4 killed as banned AL, police clash after attack on NCP leaders

MOST VIEWED

  • 131 foreigners were denied entry into Malaysia by their border control. Photo: The Star
    96 Bangladeshis denied entry at Kuala Lumpur airport
  • Double-decker school buses are lined up in a field in Chattogram city. The district administration has proposed modernising the buses to ensure security and convenience for school students. Photo: TBS
    Country's first smart school bus in Ctg faces shutdown amid funding crisis
  • A file photo of people boarding the government-run Betna Express at a railway station. The train operates on the Benapole-Khulna-Mongla route via Jashore. Photo: TBS
    Despite profitability, Betna Express rail service handed over to pvt sector
  • Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
    Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
  • Representational image. File Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Malaysia grants Bangladeshi workers multiple-entry visas
  • People enter and loot Ganobhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 5, 2024. Photo: TBS
    Govt to spend Tk111cr to turn Ganabhaban into July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum

Related News

  • Bangladeshi youth 'shot dead' by BSF at Thakurgaon border
  • BSF pushes 10 people into Bangladesh
  • BSF pushes 25 more people into Bangladesh through Moulvibazar border
  • BSF pushes 9 more individuals into Bangladesh through Khagrachhari border
  • BSF pushes 20 more into Bangladesh through Chapainawabganj border

Features

Abu Sayeed spread his hands as police fired rubber bullets, leading to his tragic death. Photos: Collected

How Abu Sayed’s wings of freedom ignited the fire of July uprising

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Open source legal advice: How Facebook groups are empowering victims of land disputes

2d | Panorama
DU students at TSC around 12:45am on 15 July 2024, protesting Sheikh Hasina’s insulting remark. Photo: TBS

‘Razakar’: The butterfly effect of a word

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Grooming gadgets: Where sleek tools meet effortless styles

3d | Brands

More Videos from TBS

NCP leaders safely in Khulna from Gopalganj.

NCP leaders safely in Khulna from Gopalganj.

6h | TBS Today
July 16 returns with sadness and pain

July 16 returns with sadness and pain

6h | TBS Today
China's economy not hit by Trump's tariff war

China's economy not hit by Trump's tariff war

8h | Others
News of The Day, 16 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 16 JULY 2025

9h | TBS News of the day
The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2025 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab