Frequent border killings and push-ins by the Indian border force have become commonplace along the Indo-Bangla border, causing concerns for authorities and citizens alike.
In the latest incident, two youths were shot dead by Indian BSF force along border in Parshuram upazila of Feni district early on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Millat Hossain, 21, and Yasin alias Liton, 31, both from Bashpadua village in the upazila.
According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Millat and Yasin crossed the border pillar 2164/3S under Gouthuma BOP area of Parshuram upazila. As they reached the border fencing, BSF troops opened fire on Millat and Yasin, leaving them wounded.
Locals rescued them and rushed them to Parshuram Upazila Health Complex. They were later transferred to Feni 250-bed General Hospital for better treatment, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Another man, Absar, 30, was also shot, but is currently undergoing treatment.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, commanding officer of the BGB-4 Feni Battalion, confirmed the incident. He also said BGB personnel immediately visited the site after receiving information. Millat’s body was sent to Feni General Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Lieutenant Colonel Mosharraf also said, “We are currently gathering detailed information on why and under what circumstances they crossed the border at such a late hour.”
A formal protest letter will be sent to the BSF regarding the incident. Firing along the border is unacceptable under any circumstances, he said.
In another development, as many as 21 Rohingyas, who were arrested in a crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir of India, were pushed into Bangladesh through Nakugaon border in Sherpur district late Thursday night.
The group includes five adult men, five adult women and eleven minors.
According to BGB sources, the push-in took place around 1:15am through Main Pillar 1116 under Hatipagar BGB camp jurisdiction.
BSF personnel from Kilapara camp in India carried out the push-in operation.
A BGB patrol team detained the Rohingyas and temporarily kept them at local Muktijoddha High School.
The Rohingyas include Sabbir (40), Shamsul Alam (43), Romana Begum (24), Toha (9), Nurtajol (4), Riaz (4), Arman (1), Robi Khanam (24), Hasina Begum (22), Shahina Akter (3), Shuktara (4 months), Setara Begum (35), Borhan (8), Hatema Begum (40), Nurul Absar (17), Jinnatara (15), Nurul Islam (13), Siraj (11), Azizul Osman (9) and Ayesha Bibi (6).
According to BGB sources, the detainees belong to six families. They reportedly fled from the Balukhali Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, in 2017 and illegally entered Jammu and Kashmir in India. There, they worked as laborers in hotels and households.
About a month ago, Indian police arrested them during a crackdown on undocumented migrants. During interrogation, they claimed to be Rohingya refugees from Ukhiya camp in Bangladesh.
As per the information, Indian authorities handed them over to the BSF, who subsequently pushed them into Bangladesh.