Key highlights:
- The Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday, February 1st, 2023, that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) formally apologized for the death of a sepoy from the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB)
- On the night of September 28, 2023, similar killings occurred as Rabiul Haque, a 40-year-old Bangladeshi cattle trader from Pirpurkullah village in Chuadanga’s Damurhuda upazila, was fatally shot
- According to an official report, the Border Security Force (BSF) seized 21,917 cattle along the Bangladesh-India border in 2021, marking a 53% decline
Mohammad Roisuddin, a 35-year-old BGB member from Jessore, was shot by the BSF on January 22. He was serving at the BGB-49 Battalion in Jessore. The BGB lodged a protest note to the BSF and asked for a thorough investigation of the incident.
The netizens also reacted strongly to the BGB member’s death and criticized the Indian authorities for their reckless firing at the border. A BGB press release stated that a BGB patrol team confronted a group of cattle smugglers who were entering Bangladesh from India, near the Jhelepara post area under Benapole Upazila, around 5:30 am on January 22, Monday.
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In an announcement made by the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, February 1st, 2023, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) extended its formal apology for the demise of a sepoy from the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB). Seheli Sabrin, the ministry’s spokesperson, conveyed during a briefing that the BSF also committed to working closely with the BGB to prevent such occurrences from happening again.
The smugglers retreated to the Indian side, and BGB member Roisuddin lost contact with his team in the thick fog. Later, it was confirmed from various sources that he was wounded in a BSF shooting and was taken to an Indian hospital. The spokesperson said that the issues of border and visa would be raised during the forthcoming visit of Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud to New Delhi from February 7-9. She also said that the Teesta water sharing agreement might be on the agenda during the visit.
Earlier Incidents of Bangladeshi Nationals Killed in Border Standoff
Timeline
January 9, 2020:
Selim and Sumon, Bangladeshi cattle traders, were fatally shot by India’s BSF in Johorpur, Shibganj upazila, Chapainawabganj.
Three others were injured.
September 15, 2023:
Mizanur Rahman, a Bangladeshi national, aged 50, was reportedly killed by BSF personnel at the Benipur border of Jibannagar upazila in Chuadanga.
September 28, 2023:
Rabiul Haque, a 40-year-old Bangladeshi cattle trader from Pirpurkullah village, Chuadanga, was fatally shot by India’s BSF at Thakurpur border.
January 2022, 2024:
Mohammad Roisuddin, a 35-year-old BGB member from Jessore, was shot by the BSF.
On the night of September 28, 2023, similar killings occurred as a Bangladeshi national named Rabiul Haque, aged 40, and a cattle trader from Pirpurkullah village in Chuadanga’s Damurhuda upazila, was fatally shot, allegedly by members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF), at Thakurpur border point.
The incident was reported by the correspondent in Chuadanga, quoting Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials. According to BGB officials and local sources, BSF troops stationed at Rangiarpota camp fired upon Rabiul as he illegally entered Indian territory, resulting in his immediate death.
Another incident occurred on September 15, involving the death of a Bangladeshi named Mizanur Rahman, aged 50, who was reportedly killed by BSF personnel at the Benipur border of Jibannagar upazila in Chuadanga.
Similarly, on Thursday, January 9, 2020, two Bangladeshi cattle traders were shot dead, and three others were injured by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in the Johorpur area of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj. The deceased were identified as Selim, aged 30, son of late Tobjul Haque, and Sumon, aged 23, son of Sadikul Islam, both from villages within the same upazila.
Reports from local sources indicate that the BSF fired upon the group of cattle traders near Pillar-166 as they were returning to Bangladesh after entering India to bring cattle, resulting in the immediate deaths of Selim and Sumon, with three others sustaining injuries.
BSF cracks down on cattle smuggling along Bangladesh border
However,theBangladesh border has seen a sharp fall in cattle smugglingover the last few years. According to an official report, the number of cattle seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India border fell by 53% to 21,917 in 2021. The cattle seizures at the Bangladesh border declined by 71% from 77,410 in 2019 to 21,917 in 2021.
The highest number of cattle recoveries were done in the Guwahati frontier, where 8,436 recoveries were made in 2021, compared to 21,749 in 2020.
Until July 2022, 6,383 cattle recoveries have been done. In the Meghalaya frontier, 3,273 recoveries were made in 2021, compared to 10,647 in 2020, while this year only 2,329 recoveries have been done.
Border Security Force Cattle Seizures: 2019-2022
- Bangladesh-India Border:
- 2019: 77,410 cattle seized
- 2020: 61,186 cattle seized
- 2021: 21,917 cattle seized (53% decrease from 2020)
- Guwahati Frontier:
- 2020: 21,749 cattle seized
- 2021: 8,436 cattle seized
- Meghalaya Frontier:
- 2020: 10,647 cattle seized
- 2021: 3,273 cattle seized
- Until July 2022:
- 6,383 cattle seized across all frontiers
A senior BSF officer said that the use of technology has enhanced their border security measures. Except for some riverine areas, the borders have been fenced.
“The eastern borders are very porous, unlike the western borders. Despite many challenges, all our Frontiers and Battalions have done very well in stopping the smuggling of cattle and other items. We have a strong intelligence network to monitor the smugglers. There have been several cases of violent attacks on our troops by trans–border smugglers and criminals,”
The data showed that the biggest decrease was seen in the South Bengal frontier in India, where 1,760 cattle recoveries were made in 2021, compared to 5,704 in 2020. From 2022 until July, only 531 recoveries have been done. Similarly, in the Indian North Bengal frontier, 5,680 recoveries were done in 2021, compared to 6,298 in 2020.
In 2023, 2,131 recoveries have been done until July 31. India and Bangladesh share a 4,095 km (including 1,116 km of riverine) border, and half of it is along West Bengal. The other parts are surrounded by Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
Cattle Recoveries Along the India-Bangladesh Border
Overview:
- India-Bangladesh Border: 4,095 km (including 1,116 km riverine)
- Significant Decrease: South Bengal Frontier
- Key Regions: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura
South Bengal Frontier:
- 2020: 5,704 recoveries
- 2021: 1,760 recoveries
- 2022 (Until July): 531 recoveries
North Bengal Frontier:
- 2020: 6,298 recoveries
- 2021: 5,680 recoveries
- 2022 (Until July): 2,131 recoveries
While tensions have arisen due to unfortunate events, it’s essential to acknowledge the efforts being made to address border issues comprehensively. the pledge by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to cooperate with the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) marks a crucial step towards maintaining peace and security along the shared border. The promises made by the BSF to prevent such occurrences in the future demonstrate a commitment to improving border relations and ensuring the safety of all involved.
