ASK concerned over border killings

Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) today expressed deep concern over the recent killing of Bangladeshi citizens by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India border.

The use of lethal weapons by BSF has reached an alarming stage, ASK, in a statement said, adding that the Indian troops use both lethal and non-lethal weapons along the border.

Citing media reports, ASK claimed that 18 Bangladeshis were either tortured to death or shot dead by BSF between January and October this year.

Twenty-seven Bangladeshis were injured and 38 others abducted by BSF at that time, it says, adding that 13 persons were among the abductees returned home later.

"Most of the victims were unarmed farmers or cattle traders," it adds.

On November 15, BSF members shot dead Bangladeshi citizen Farid Hossain Sharif, 22, along the Burimari border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district, ASK said.

Besides, three Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were injured during an attack carried out by BSF members along Comilla border on November 13.

"Such incident along the border cannot be accepted," it says.

In the statement, the rights group urged both Bangladesh and Indian government to take effective joint steps to put an end to border killing and torture.