Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has stressed on some key issues with India like stopping “border killing, conclusion of Teesta water sharing agreement, and ensuring supply of essential commodities.” High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on the Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the interim Government of Bangladesh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and discussed the issue. The Adviser said Bangladesh wants to work closely with India for promoting bilateral relations and stressed on more ‘people centric engagement’ in the upcoming days. The interim government is committed to ensuring a transition to inclusive and pluralistic democracy and creating an atmosphere to hold free, fair and participatory elections, said the Adviser. Bangladeshi killed by BSF gunfire near Chapainawabganj border He thanked the government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the Chief Adviser on his assumption of his new responsibilities. The Foreign Affairs Adviser also mentioned a highly exaggerated media campaign about happenings in Bangladesh. About former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements, he mentioned that such statements emanating from India are not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations. The Indian High Commissioner congratulated the Adviser for Foreign Affairs on his new responsibilities. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good wishes to the Chief Adviser and expressed the keen willingness of the Government of India to work with the interim government in the coming days to fulfill the shared aspirations of peoples from both countries. The Adviser for Foreign Affairs affirmed the Interim government’s commitment to ensure peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh including the minorities. He mentioned that the government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them. He added that all religious groups and other political parties are also working to ensure safety and security of the minorities. 35-year-old man injured in BSF firing at Feni border During the meeting, the Adviser for Foreign Affairs briefed the High Commissioner about the current situation in Bangladesh. He mentioned that Bangladesh witnessed a second liberation last week through a mass uprising spearheaded by valiant students. The combined forces of the students and people have emerged victorious against the forces of authoritarianism and repression in their quest for ending discriminations and inequities. The fearless student movement against a discriminatory public service recruitment system soon morphed into a nation-wide revolutionary struggle to establish a rules-based, just, fair and inclusive society. Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus agreed to take the helm of the interim government at the request of the students and people. The Adviser for Foreign Affairs mentioned that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the overall law and order situation and bring the economy on track. India’s BSF returns body of Bangladeshi man killed in its firing The government is working on meaningful reforms and a lasting transformation to fulfill the aspiration of the people, especially the youth.

A delegation from Myanmar, led by Ambassador Aung Kyaw Moe, arrived at the Naval jetty ghat in Inani, Cox’s Bazar district, on Thursday (February 15, 2024), aboard a speedboat at 9:50 am, to repatriate 330 members of the Myanmar security forces and others who had sought refuge in Bangladesh.  The group had crossed into Bangladesh, fleeing clashes between the Myanmar military and armed rebel groups. Read: 330 BGP members, others to be handed over to Myanmar authorities Thursday: BGB  The repatriation, supervised by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), involves individuals including members of the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP). The process was earlier confirmed by BGB's public relations officer, Shariful Islam, who also noted that the transfer involved six buses transporting the individuals from Nhila and Ghumdum points to Inani earlier that day. Home Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, had previously indicated that the repatriation of these individuals was imminent, amidst ongoing border tensions and skirmishes in the Bandarban's Naikhongchhari area. In light of the conflict, the BGB and Coast Guard have ramped up surveillance efforts to prevent further crossings. This border tension has led to casualties on the Bangladeshi side, including the deaths of a Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man due to mortar shell impacts from Myanmar. An unidentified body was also found on February 8 in the Rahmaterbil border area of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, as reported by Md Shamim Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station. Read: DMP forms 'quick response team' to ease movements of SSC examinees   Additionally, on February 9, BGB personnel detained 23 Rohingyas with 12 firearms and 868 rounds of ammunition as they attempted to cross into Bangladesh. A case was subsequently filed under the Arms Act at Ukhiya police station, with a court ordering a 3-day remand for each individual involved.

Shafiul Alam, a resident of Ghumdhum’s Jalpaitoli, a once quiet village in the border district of Bandarban, is now counting his days wracked by a complex cocktail of human emotions. His life took an unexpected turn on February 5, as his mother lost her life when a stray mortar shell fired from Myanmar landed in their under-construction house, which also left his two children with shrapnel wounds on their feet, and took the life of a Rohingya construction worker. He is not even in a situation to grieve properly as he has to think about how to treat his children with little to no help. The children only survived as they were inside their home at the time, while their grandmother was serving lunch to the construction worker.   2 SSC exam centres along BD-Myanmar border relocated Bandarban's Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin and Superintendent of Police Saikat Shahin later paid a visit to the family. A mere donation of Tk 20,000 was offered as immediate assistance, but the bereaved family expressed dissatisfaction with the government's support process.  Their plea is clear: they seek international intervention to ensure justice and an end to their current situation of fearing for their lives every moment of the day. Shafiul is not alone, the repercussions of Myanmar's civil war extend beyond Shafiul's family. Thousands of bordering residents of the country are now passing each day fearing for their lives. Don’t want to share specific date but Myanmar security forces to go back soon: Hasan Mahmud In Tumbru and surrounding areas, at least 12 people have been shot and injured, their suffering further exacerbated by the lack of medical treatment and government support. The victims are now only pleading for assistance, to save their lives which reveals a bitter reality of the toll that geopolitical strife takes on ordinary lives. Unidentified man’s body found along Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has officially regretted the recent border killing and expressed willingness to address the border issues through joint efforts. The BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will also work together to prevent any such incident in the future. BSF hands over body of BGB member after two days of killing Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seheli Sabrin, made the remarks over the death of Sepoy Mohammad Raisuddin while replying to a question at the weekly briefing on Thursday. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will visit India from February 7 to 9 as part of his first bilateral visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Dr S Jaishankar. BGB personnel shot in BSF firing dies in India Asked whether the Teesta water-sharing issue will be discussed in the meeting, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they expect the issue would be discussed. “In the upcoming visit, there will be a comprehensive discussion on various issues existing between Bangladesh and India. We are also expecting discussion on the Teesta water sharing agreement,” said the MoFA Spokesperson. BSF hands over bodies of 2 Bangladeshi youths it shot dead after 15 days She said it cannot be said at this moment whether the issue of China's proposed project on Teesta will be discussed. “If India wants to know anything from us in this regard, then we will consider the matter,” she added. Seheli Sabrin said issues of mutual interest including trade, connectivity and energy cooperation, people-to-people contacts, regional cooperation, connection will be discussed between the two sides to further strengthen Bangladesh-India relations. Asked whether he will have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud recently said, “It is too early to say.” Jaishankar, earlier, invited his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud to visit New Delhi at a mutually convenient time. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended the invitation on behalf of the Indian External Affairs Minister. The Foreign Minister embarked on a multilateral tour to Uganda last month to attend the NAM Summit.  He is now visiting Brussels, Belgium to attend the 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.

The body of a Bangladeshi youth, who was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Aunghorpota border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat, was handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Sunday (January 28, 2024) night.   Patgram police station’s officer-in-charge (OC) Ferdous Wahid said Indian Border Security Force (BSF) handed over the body of Rabiul Islam to the BGB through Tin Bigha Corridor in the upazila after an autopsy in India on Sunday night. Read: BSF hands over body of BGB member after two days of killing Later, the body was handed over to the victim’s family, he said.   Earlier on Sunday afternoon, a flag-meeting between the border forces of the two countries was held when  the BGB condemned the killing. Rabiul, 33, son of Afzal Hossain of Dangarpara village under Dahagram union of the upazila, was gunned down by the BSF along Jashore’s Benapole border on Sunday, within a week of killing a BGB member by them. Read more: Another Bangladeshi shot dead by BSF along Lalmonirhat border

A 15-year-old boy was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) while he was cutting grass at Diar Manikchak border in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi on Thursday. The deceased was Samirul Islam alias Samiul of Barinagar village of Char Ashariadah union of the upazila. The incident happened at the border on Thursday morning. 2 trucks torched in Rajshahi, Bogura Locals said, Samiul went to cut grass on the land near Diyar Manikchak border around 9:30 am. At that time, BSF soldiers of Char Ashariadah outpost on the Indian border fired three rounds at Samirul. He died on the spot. Commander of 53 Battalion Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Lt Col Nahid Hossain said the visited the spot in the afternoon after receiving information about the incident. The body was later recovered. Crude bombs found near Rajshahi Rail Station gate defused Ashraful Haque Bhola, chairman of Char Ashariadah UP said, “There is a barbed wire fence on the border of the area. There are sometimes warnings not to let anyone go near the barbed wire fence. However, Samirul was cutting grass 150 yards inside Bangladesh from the zero line of the border. The BSF opened fire in a completely provocative manner. When they see someone approaching the barbed wire of the border, they shoot.” Gynecologist ‘picked up’ by police in Rajshahi; shown arrested in explosive case Atiqul Islam, Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) , said , BGB members recovered the body of the boy. The body will be handed over to the family and necessary action will be taken in this regard according to the law.

A Bangladeshi man was shot dead by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Kalirhat border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district early Monday. The deceased was identified as Yusuf Ali, 27, son of Shah Jamal of Meser Danga village of Jagatab union of the upazila. Also Read: Stone quarry worker allegedly shot by BSF dies Quoting locals, Omar Faruk, officer-in-charge of Patrgram police station, said the BSF troops  opened fire on a group of Bangladeshis while they were trying to bring Indian cattle through the main pillar number 857 of the border area, leaving Yusuf dead on the spot. On information, police were sent to the house of the victim, added the OC. Also Read: 1 Bangladeshi shot dead, another wounded by BSF along Lalmonirhat border Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Mohammad Musahid Masum, commander at the BGB-61, confirmed the incident saying that they have already contacted the BOP camp over the incident. Besides, a flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Security Forces (BSF) will be held in this regard, he added.      

Yesterday (January 7, 2023) marked the 12th death anniversary of Felani Khatun, whose killing stood out among the at least 1236 Bangladeshis who lost their lives at the hands of the Indian Border Security Force between 2000-2020 (Odhikar).  On January 7, 2011, fifteen-year-old Felani Khatun was gunned down by the BSF when she, along with her father, was returning home from India through Anantapur border along Phulbari upazila of Kurigram. Felani and her father were not cattle smugglers, the usual victims of India’s trigger happy border guards (although opening fire unless they pose a threat is also illegal under Indian law). In fact, she used to work as a domestic help in New Delhi. The little girl was obviously unarmed and represented no threat. The image that went viral of her body stuck on the barb-wire border fence, shot in the act of climbing past it, disturbed the conscience of people on both sides of the fence. Read more: 11 years of Felani Killing: wait for justice gets longer A case filed against the BSF in an Indian court with the cooperation of Indian human rights activists remains pending in the Indian High Court. Twelve years on, a sense of despondency has gripped the parents of Felani in their search for justice.  Though the judicial proceedings in the case have been delayed due to Covid-19, they still expressed their hope to stop the border killings through the establishment of justice. Felani's death triggered a huge global outcry as the photo of her body hanging upside down went viral. The BSF men handed over the body a day after her killing. Following the outcry on both sides of the border, BSF started an internal investigation into the incident and submitted a chargesheet against its constable Amiya Ghosh, who fired the fatal shot. It was the first such instance for a killing in the Bangladesh portion of India’s massive border. Read more: Border killing: Photo exhibition held on Felani’s home premises However, a special court constituted by the BSF acquitted Amiya Ghosh of the charge in August 2013. Later, in the wake of widespread criticism of the acquittal, BSF decided to revive the murder trial. Yet another judicial court upheld the previous verdict and acquitted Amiya Ghosh again in July 2015. Following this, Felani's father Nurul Islam with the help of the Indian human rights organisation Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (Masum) filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court bench, headed by the country’s chief justice, show-caused several Indian bodies including the Home Ministry, in this regard. Read more: Justice eludes Felani’s family Talking to UNB, Felani’s father, Nurul Islam, said, “My daughter was killed by the BSF member in front of my eyes while crossing the border but I did not get justice in the last 12 years. The date of the trial proceedings was deferred several times. Now, I demand capital punishment for Amiya Ghosh and I hope the governments of the two countries reach an agreement to revive the judicial process and complete it." Jahanara Begum, mother of Felani, said, "I was in India when my daughter was killed. My soul will not rest until justice is done for my daughter's murder."  After twelve years, the family is in need of closure, and although the border killings have dropped significantly, the stated objective of both sides to bring them down to zero is still some way off. Looking at the number killed each year since the turn of the century, it is tempting to suggest that the Felani killing’s aftermath had some restraining effect on BSF jawans freely exercising a shoot-to-kill policy along the 4096-kilometre border with Bangladesh that is conspicuously absent from the standard operating procedure followed for its other international borders with various other countries.  Read More: Border killings not expected: Shahriar Alam Bangladeshi deaths in BSF firing peaked at 155 in 2006, and remained above one hundred in 2007. Triple figures were nearly breached once again in 2009 (98), and fell to a still very high 74 in 2010. Then right at the start of 2011, Felani was killed. There would be just 30 more such deaths that year.  Although the 50 mark would be crossed again for the first time in ten years in 2020, they have been pulled back again. Although their final figure isn’t in yet, watchdog Ain o Salish Kendra counted ‘at least 16 deaths’ in 2022.  SM Abraham Lincoln, public prosecutor of Kurigram district who has stood by the family through the entire period, said despite the showcause notices, no hearings have been held as yet on the writ petition by a bench of the Indian Supreme Court. "Even if it is delayed, the friendly relations and peaceful borders between the two countries will be established through justice," he hoped. Read More: BGB, BSF agree to cut border killings.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Saturday said the number of deaths along the Bangladesh-India border will be brought down to zero as such death is not expected amid friendly relationship between the two countries. “No one wants killing along the border. Border killings have decreased significantly this year compared to the past. Discussions are underway between the two countries to bring down the border killings to zero level,” he told reporters after attending a programme at Lalmonirhat Church of God High School. Read more: BGB, BSF agree to cut border killings Shahriar said earlier the border guard forces of both countries used to discuss returning the dead bodies holding a flag meeting. Discussions at the Deputy Commissioner level of the two countries were also closed during the Covid lockdown, which will resume again, he said. The state minister urged the people near the border not to enter India illegally. The state minister said that discussions are on to reopen the Mogalhat land port and it would be possible if the government of India agrees. Read more: Border killing is a shame for India: Momen  He said that efforts are going on to reopen all cross-border routes that were closed for improved communication between the two countries.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday handed over the body of the Bangladeshi teenager who was shot dead by its members on Wednesday while the Bangladeshi prime minister was visiting India. A team of Kotwali Police Station with the help of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members received the body of the teenager around 4:30 pm and handed it over to his family, said Tanvirul Islam, in-charge of Kotwali Police Station. Earlier in the day, the BSF members from Raiganj sector, agreed to return the body around 4 pm after holding a flag meeting with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) -29, held in the morning at Pillar no. 314/4 S of Dinajpur frontier. Also read: Bangladeshi teen shot dead at Dinajpur border, BSF claims “self defence” Bangladeshi teenager Minhazul Islam Minar, 17, son of Jahangir Hossain of Askorpurup union was shot dead and another injured by Indian Border Security Force (BSF), near the border in Sadar upazila of Dinajpur, authorities said on Thursday. Local people found the bullet-hit body in Haripur Teliapara area of the border, said Khanpur Union Parishad Chairman Abu Bakar Siddique. Minar was a class IX student of Khanpur High School. Minara Begum, mother of Minar lodged a complaint against five people with Kotwali Police. Also read: BSF to hand over body of Bangladeshi teenager after 5 days “Legal steps will be taken against those involved in the killing after recording a case,” said OC.