A Bangladeshi man killed in firing by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh has been named as an accused in a case filed over an alleged attack on border guards and obstruction of official duties.
The case was filed with Haluaghat Police Station late on Monday night by Rafiqul Islam, a naik posted at the Koraitoli Border Outpost (BOP) of BGB’s Mymensingh Battalion 39.
The case, filed under several sections of the Special Powers Act, 1974 and the Penal Code, names three people, including the deceased, Roman Mia, alongside 20 to 25 unidentified individuals.
The other two named accused are Atikul Islam of Sangra village in Haluaghat and Abdullah of Panihata village in Sherpur’s Nalitabari upazila.
Roman’s death in BGB firing early on Monday sparked anger among local residents.
Following his death, allegations emerged that BGB personnel initially prevented journalists from entering the hospital and obstructed relatives and local residents from viewing his body.
At one point, BGB members allegedly raised their weapons in an attempt to disperse the crowd but were forced to leave the hospital amid strong protests.
Police from Haluaghat Police Station subsequently arrived at the hospital, brought the situation under control and calmed the agitated crowd.
However, the border force and Roman’s family have given conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the BGB complaint, personnel conducting a routine border patrol received information that four cattle had been brought illegally from India and, subsequently, seized the animals.
While returning, the border guards were intercepted in the Jhaljhalia area by people allegedly involved in smuggling.
The group attacked BGB personnel with locally made weapons, sharp machetes and bamboo sticks, seizing two of the cattle.
The complaint states that BGB members fired four warning shots into the air to disperse the attackers.
When the group allegedly attacked again, a firearm discharged during a scuffle, killing Roman.
The complaint also alleges that the attackers struck BGB personnel on different parts of their bodies with sticks.
However, a statement issued the previous day by BGB’s Mymensingh Battalion 39 presented a somewhat different account.
According to that statement, border guards seized several cattle in the Jhaljhalia area of Bangladesh, approximately one kilometre from the zero line near the Telikhali BOP, at around 5:45am.
While the personnel were returning, an organised group of smugglers allegedly attacked them.
The statement said the border guards initially issued verbal warnings before firing warning shots into the air to bring the situation under control.
When the alleged attack continued, BGB personnel opened fire in self-defence, shooting one suspected smuggler.
He was subsequently taken to Haluaghat Upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctor declared him dead.
The statement was later removed from the website.
Roman’s younger brother, Abu Raihan, alleged that BGB personnel had deliberately shot his brother.
He said Roman went to Jhaljhalia village after learning of a disturbance following the seizure of cattle.
According to Raihan, an argument arose over documents relating to the lease of Baghaitala market, during which Roman was shot.
Raihan alleged that his brother was kept at the scene for nearly three hours after being shot at around 5am.
He further claimed that cattle brought from India were subject to financial arrangements with BGB personnel, with a fixed amount paid every week.
Raihan alleged that BGB members shot Roman because the agreed payment could not be made that week.
He also accused BGB personnel of torturing his brother after taking him to the Telikhali camp.
Raihan claimed that when he pleaded for medical treatment for Roman, a BGB member identified as Rafique raised a firearm towards his chest and threatened to shoot him as well.
BGB has denied any financial dealings related to cattle smuggling.
Haluaghat journalist Ansarul Haque Russell told TIMES that the situation in the area was now calm.
He said a video of the incident circulated locally appeared to show alleged smugglers launching the first attack.
Haluaghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jalal Uddin said police handed Roman’s body over to his family on Monday following a post-mortem examination at the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue.
Roman was buried at his family graveyard in Betkuri village at around 10pm that night.
