United News of Bangladesh

A thought-provoking solo photography exhibition titled 'Border That Bleeds' by Parvez Ahmed Rony was inaugurated on Tuesday at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan, Dhaka. The exhibition coincides with Felani Day, a day of protest against border killings, and is dedicated to the memory of Felani Khatun, a 15-year-old Bangladeshi girl killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in 2011. On January 7, 2011, Felani was shot and killed by BSF personnel at the Anantapur border under Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila. Her body was left hanging on a barbed wire fence for five hours, sparking outrage. Nearly 14 years later, justice remains elusive in Felani’s case. The tragedy of Felani is part of a larger pattern, with approximately 1,400 Bangladeshi civilians killed by the BSF along the India-Bangladesh border, according to human rights organizations. Photographer Parvez Ahmed Rony has been documenting the harsh realities of life along the Bangladesh-India border since 2012. The exhibition features 24 selected photographs from his extensive work, captured over a 12-year period from 2012 to 2024. Through these powerful visuals, Rony sheds light on the human cost of border conflicts. Felani Murder: Parents accuse AL of failing to secure justice Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works of the Interim Government and founder of the human rights organization Odhikar, was present at the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition. Shahidul Alam, eminent photographer and managing director of Drik Picture Library, was also present at the inauguration, alongside Felani's mother Jahanara Begum and father Noor Islam. The exhibition will be open to the public till January 9.

The father of Felano Khatun recalled the harrowing moments of January 7, 2011 on Tuesday, when he watched his daughter lose her life in front of his own eyes after being shot by the Indian Border Security Force. "They shot my daughter, Felani, like a bird and left her hanging on barbed wire," Nurul Islam Nuru said. He also offered some new details he hadn't disclosed previously. "She screamed 'water, water' in front of me. BSF allowed me to do nothing . My daughter was brutally killed hanging on barbed wire for five hours," said Nurul Islam. The protest rally titled 'Protest Against the Killings by BSF on the Bangladesh Border,' was organized by Dhaka University students in front of Raju sculpture on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. At the protest, Felani's father said, "I have gone for justice countless times. I have only been given assurances. The autocratic Sheikh Hasina had put so much pressure on us that we were never allowed to speak on this matter." Demanding justice from this interim government, he said, "A fair investigation should be conducted, and just as my daughter was hung on the barbed wire and killed, the killers should also be hung on the barbed wire for justice. No more killings should happen on the border. No mother should lose her child again. We will speak face to face with India. Everyone should stand up against Indian aggression." Road adjoining Indian High Commission in Dhaka named 'Shaheed Felani Road' During the event, several Dhaka University students also gave speeches. They demanded justice for Felani and all border killings, called for a fair relationship with India based on justice, and urged for the empowerment of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Tamhid Al Mudassir said, "Felani hung on the barbed wire for five hours. That day, it wasn’t just Felani who was hanging, but the sovereignty and dignity of the entire Bangladesh was hanging. Through the hanging of Felani, India portrayed Bangladesh as a failed state, that cannot ensure the safety of its citizens. Today, we stand not only for justice for Felani’s killing but also for the justice of all border killings and against Indian aggression." He added, "We have seen how the BDR massacre and the dissolution of the BDR created Indian aggression. After dissolving the BDR, the BGB was formed, which essentially stands as the border guard but lacks real authority. Their job is just to transport dead bodies across the border. Today, we are here demanding the empowerment of the BGB." He called for state recognition of the fight against Indian aggression for Abrar Fahad and Felani, stating, "This July revolution is not only for a new political settlement but also for a new foreign policy. Our foreign policy will be based on our dignity and sovereignty." He urged the government to establish a new foreign policy with India, based on a fair relationship. Other speakers included Sakhawat Zakaria, Coordinator Mahin Sarkar, Abdullah Arian, and Nafisa Islam, among others.

A photo exhibition protesting against border killings by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held on the premises of Felani Khatun’s home in Kurigram’s Nageshwari on Thursday.