Sadharon Sanatani Peshajibi Forum (SSPF), a platform of Hindu professionals, has condemned the killing of 15-year-old Joyanta Kumar Singh by Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) at the Thakurgaon-Baliadangi border. In a press release issued on September 10, SSPF demanded a thorough investigation, punishment for the culprits, and compensation for the victim's family.
A statement signed by Debashish Mallik Simanto, convener and coordinator of the forum, said: “With heavy hearts, we announce that a Bangladeshi teenager has been killed at the Bangladesh-India border once again. Just eight days after the tragic death of 13-year-old Swarna Das on September 1 at the Lalarchak border in Moulvibazar, another incident occurred. On September 9, Joyanta Kumar Singh, a 15-year-old Bangladeshi, was shot dead by the BSF.”
According to various media sources, on the night of September 9, Mahadev Singh, his son Joyanta, and several others attempted to cross into India through the 393 Main Pillar area of the Baliadangi border. They were shot at by BSF personnel from the Dingapara camp, resulting in Joyanta’s immediate death. Mahadev and another individual, Dabarar Ali, were injured and later taken to Rangpur for treatment. They are currently receiving medical care at a private clinic.
The statement continued, “These two incidents within such a short span are deeply distressing. We cannot condone extrajudicial killings at the border. The fact that both victims were minors, Sanatani Hindus, and Bangladeshi nationals makes these incidents even more heartbreaking for us. We view them as part of our own family—our children, our brothers, and sisters. We previously urged both the Bangladeshi and Indian governments to stop border killings, ensure proper judicial processes, and hold the BSF members accountable for these extrajudicial actions. We also demanded compensation for the families of the victims. For Joyanta Singh, we reiterate our call for justice, punishment for the offenders, and appropriate compensation.”
SSPF members further stated, “We firmly believe that both Bangladesh and India must take visible and sustainable measures to prevent such extrajudicial killings at the border. Otherwise, our protest will not end with mere statements.”