BGB firing in Thakurgaon: Writ seeks compensation for victims' families

A writ petition was filed with the High Court today seeking its directive upon the government to give adequate compensation to the family members of those who were killed and injured in a clash between locals and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members in Thakurgaon.

Three people were killed and at least 16 others suffered bullet wounds on Tuesday as members of a BGB patrol team opened fire following a scuffle with locals in the district.

Advocate Tonoy Kumer Saha, a Supreme Court lawyer, submitted the petition to the HC today.

Talking to The Daily Star, the SC lawyer said BGB action upon the villagers was “illegal” as their duty is to protect the border area.

The constitutional right of the people, who were killed and injured during the clash, have been damaged due to the BGB action, he said in the petition.

The HC may hear the petition next week.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THAKURGAON?

Md Moniruzzaman, superintendent of police in Thakurgaon, on Tuesdau that acting on a tip-off, a patrol team of Border Guard Bangladesh went to the village in Haripur upazila by a locally made three-wheeler in the morning to seize smuggled cattle.

At one stage, the BGB personnel got into an altercation with villagers, who encircled them. The BGB men failed to calm the villagers, and opened fire, the SP told this newspaper over the phone.