Eight days after killing Shwarna Das, BSF shoots another Bangladeshi teen to death in border

Within a span of just eight days, Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel gunned down another Bangladeshi teen and injured two others, including the teen's father, near the Baliadangi border in Thakurgaon early today (9 September).

The deceased was identified as Joyanta Kumar Singha, 15, while the injured were Joyanta's father Mahadev Kumar Singha, and Bangdu Mohammad, of Fakir Bhita village in the upazila, reports UNB.

Confirming the incident, Baliadangi police station's Officer-in-Charge Firoz Kabir said, "One person died, and two others sustained bullet injuries in the BSF firing while they were trying to cross the border."

The injured are undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, he said, adding that the BSF troops took away the body.

Lt Col Tanjir Ahmed, commandant of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) 50 Battalion in Thakurgaon, said they were in touch with the BSF to bring back the body.

Meanwhile, regarding the recent border killings, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said,  "Border killings are undoubtedly an obstacle to building good relations between the two countries [Bangladesh and India]." 

He made the remark during a short press briefing at his ministry today.

He further said, "Relations are not just a matter between governments but also between the people of both nations. When people are shot at the border, it creates a negative perception among the entire population, which is something we do not want."

"Even during what was called the 'golden era,' border killings still occurred. There's no way to view this separately; it is absolutely unacceptable, and we will strongly protest," he added.

"We want good relations, but based on sovereign equality," said the foreign adviser, adding that the willingness for a good relationship must not be one-sided.

Regarding the unrest in two Indian states, the foreign adviser said, "We have not issued any warnings so far. However, if the home ministry deems it necessary, it will be done."

On 1 September, 13-year-old Shwarna Das, of Juri upazila in Moulvibazar district, was shot dead by the BSF troops. Around 45 hours after the incident, the BSF returned the body to Bangladesh after a flag meeting with the BGB.

On 5 September, Bangladesh strongly protested and condemned such ruthless acts and expressed deep concern over the incident.

The Government of Bangladesh reminded India that such incidents of border killing are undesirable and unwarranted, and such actions are in violation of the provisions of the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, 1975.

Moreover, the country called upon India to stop the repetition of such heinous acts and conduct enquiries into all border killings, identify the responsible persons, and bring them to justice.