Monday | 7 October 2024 | Reg No- 06
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Monday | 7 October 2024 | Epaper
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Recurring border killings to mar Dhaka-Delhi ties 

Published : Saturday, 7 September, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 381
Nurullah Alam Nur
Establishing and maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries is very important for every country. Especially, when two countries share a border, the importance of that relationship increases manifold. This relationship is not only limited to political and diplomatic matters; it is also deeply linked to the quality of life, security, and regional stability of the common people of the two countries. But unfortunately, our closest bordering neighbour India's relations tend to be dominating rather than friendly, which is a cause for deep concern.

Repeated incidents of brutal attacks and killings of Bangladeshi citizens by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) reflect a desire for dominance rather than friendship. Such attacks and killings are not only causing loss of lives to the citizens of one country, but also creating a deep rift in the relationship between the two countries. Every incident of killing, torture and atrocities on the border creates panic, anger and frustration among the people of the two countries. As a result, the foundation of trust that could have helped build a friendly relationship is being destroyed.

Efforts are ongoing to maintain good relations between India and Bangladesh for a long time. However, the BSF's inhumane behaviour and brutal attacks on Bangladeshis along the border have repeatedly doomed those efforts. The loss of life and torture of innocent Bangladeshi citizens at the border is a clear violation of international human rights. As a result, the existing diplomatic relations between the two countries are under pressure and are deteriorating day by day.
In this situation, not only the Bangladeshi people, but also the international community has created concern. Various human rights organizations have condemned such incidents and called for India's responsible behaviour in this regard. Such aggressive behaviour of BSF against Bangladeshi citizens on the border is an expression of will to assert dominance against the principles of friendship, which is not only a violation of human rights but also against the fundamental principles of international law and justice. This is causing fear, anger and frustration among the people of the border region, which is making the relationship between the two countries even more critical.

The first is in 2011, when a 15-year-old girl named Felani was brutally murdered. At that time Felani was trying to cross the barbed wire with his father. BSF personnel fired at him and killed him. The body is then hung on a barbed wire fence.  Felani's death was not only a loss of life, but a shining example of border brutality. Photos of his hanging body were then circulated in the media around the world, sparking strong criticism and protests from human rights organizations. Felani's death caused a storm of criticism not only in Bangladesh but also in India. But still the death of innocent people does not stop at the border.

Another incident that happened in February 2020 needs to be mentioned. A Bangladeshi farmer was shot dead by BSF personnel for no reason at Balubari border in Dinajpur. The farmer was working on his own land. After this murder, there was great anger among the local people. At a time when various initiatives were being taken to improve relations between the two countries, such an incident jeopardized those efforts. Such incidents are not only a cause of panic for the local people but also pose a major threat to their livelihood.

In March 2023, a Bangladeshi teenager was killed by BSF personnel at Lalmonirhat border. Allegedly, the teenager only went to play near the border. That was his crime. He was shot dead by BSF personnel. 

Recurrence of such incidents not only creates fear in the minds of the residents of the border but also increases the animosity between the two countries. The people of the border areas live in constant fear of when one of their loved ones will be killed in this brutal manner.

The government of Bangladesh held talks with India on several occasions to prevent border killings. At the 2018 border conference between Bangladesh and India, they agreed to reduce border killings. But the real picture says otherwise. Still almost every time like our independence day or victory day or during Eid BSF gives us dead bodies. The killing of Bangladeshis by BSF on the border is not stopping, but is increasing day by day. Such a situation is disrupting the existing good relations between the two countries, which is by no means desirable.

These killings are a matter of grave concern not only in terms of border security but also in terms of human rights. International human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly called for such incidents to be investigated. But the continuance of this cruelty shows that lordship rather than friendship is the main motive of our neighbor. This is not only forcing us to be vocal at the international level, but also giving us an opportunity to rethink border security and human rights.

BSF's brutality is not limited to killings. Incidents of physical abuse of civilians by BSF personnel on the border are frequent. Men are not the only victims of this torture, women, children and the elderly are also not spared from their brutality. On the one hand, while people's lives should be safe while crossing the border, such activities by the BSF are not only endangering the victim's life, but also destabilizing relations and showing gross contempt for humanity.

A 2019 report stated that BSF personnel abducted a teenager at the border, brutally tortured him and demanded ransom from his family. Such incidents not only increase border instability, but also show disregard for the basic ideals and morals of humanity. By this, the BSF personnel are showing that they are not only performing the duty of border security, but also neglecting their duty to protect innocent people and their fundamental rights.

Such abuses represent a criminal situation at the border and are destroying the trust and cooperation that may exist in relationships. By prioritizing the basic sense of human rights and morality, such incidents of brutality and physical abuse at the border must be stopped. This will not only ensure border peace and stability, but will also help build a strong and respectful relationship between the two countries.

Despite the presence of many sweet moments in the history of India-Bangladesh relations, the killing of Bangladeshis by the BSF along the border continues to tarnish the relationship. There is a need to establish a relationship that values friendship, respect and human rights. It is very important to establish an atmosphere of coexistence, cooperation and peace in the context of sharing borders between the two countries. But to reach this goal, our neighbour India must first say goodbye to the domineering attitude.

A good relationship based on basic humanity and morality should be our aim. Through such relations we hope that no innocent lives will be endangered and no bloody conflict will be inflicted. It is very important to build the foundation of a strong and cordial friendship between India and Bangladesh, where mutual respect and cooperation will solve problems and establish peace.

The leaders of both countries, including our current interim government, should take effective steps to resolve this issue and protect the lives of innocent people at the border. We have to move towards better relations and peace. Only then will it be possible to build a prosperous and peaceful future.

The writer is a student,  Department of Arabic Language and Literature,  University of Rajshahi 



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