Dhaka demands trial of perpetrators

Cannot wage war on border killing issue: Adviser

FE REPORT | Published: September 10, 2024 23:31:27

Bangladesh wants trial of the perpetrators of border killings by the Indian frontier guards, said foreign adviser Touhid Hossain Tuesday, as another fatal shooting occurred.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of registered protest with the Government of India on the killing of a 16-year-old Bangladeshi boy, Sri Jayanta Jambu, of Baliadangi upazila in Thakurgaon district.
The teen was shot and killed by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel of India on Monday (September 9, 2024).
In a protest note sent to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh noted with grave concern that despite repeated commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and stop killing, such incidents of killing have been continuing.
"While the Government of Bangladesh denounces these ruthless acts, it maintains that any national of either country entering each other's territory without valid documents may be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the respective country and under no circumstances should they be subjected to torture and death."
Dhaka called upon the government of India to "prevent the recurrence of such ruthless acts, investigate all border-related killings, identify those responsible and bring them to justice".
In his remarks, adviser Touhid Hossain said, "You also understand that at least we cannot wage war on this issue. This is a very sensitive issue and we hope that they will take this into cognizance."
He made the remarks when asked what could be way out from unwanted killing of Bangladeshis on the border with the next-door neighbour.
Two incidents of border killing took place within seven days with the last one taking place on Monday.
"We have condemned the killings and lodged strong protests," the adviser of the post-uprising interim government said, adding that for the time being, the government cannot do anything more than this.
Talking to the reporters at the foreign ministry the adviser also pointed out that border killings by the BSF is creating very negative impact on the ties between India and Bangladesh.
"Border killing would bring good to neither of the two countries," he said
"This should be stopped in the interest of both the countries. I never heard from anybody that border killing is benefiting India," he added.
He mentions that the ministry was yet to get reaction of the Indian government to the protest note sent to them earlier.
For long, India has claimed that BSF is compelled to shoot at Bangladeshis on the border when they were attacked. But, early Monday, a boy was killed by the BSF on the border in Thakurgaon.
Commenting on this issue the adviser said this time India did not give such arguments.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma made a courtesy call on foreign secretary Jasim Uddin on the day. Talking to the reporters he said India wanted to advance the bilateral ties.
He wouldn't make any comment about the border killings.
The FS describes this as an introductory meeting where they didn't discuss broader issues of bilateral ties.
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