Chapainawabganj, February 18, 2025: The body of Bangladeshi fisherman Md. Bariqul Islam, who was killed in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) after he mistakenly crossed the Indian border while fishing in the Padma River, has been returned.
His body was handed over after a flag meeting between the BGB (Bangladesh Border Guard) and the BSF at the Rohanpur border in Chapainawabganj on Monday afternoon. The deceased, Barikul Islam, was a resident of Dularbhpur Union in Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila.
Details of the incident
He was arrested by the BSF on Saturday night while crossing the border while fishing in the Padma River. Eyewitnesses claim that he was shot dead shortly after being arrested. However, the BSF said, “The arrested person was trying to run away, and the shooting was opened after he ignored the warning.”
The family members of the deceased Barikul alleged, "Our son did not commit any crime, he just went fishing. He was killed without any crime. We want justice."
The commander of the BGB Chapainawabganj battalion said, "We contacted the BSF and brought back the body. Discussions at the diplomatic level are needed to prevent a recurrence of such incidents."
Human rights groups say such killings are occurring repeatedly along the Bangladesh-India border, which is a violation of international law. The report states that at least 18 Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing in 2024.
Locals and the victim's family have called for justice for the incident and an end to the killings at the border.
