Border killings rising again as BSF neglects effective measures: MSF

Incidents of killing and injuring Bangladeshis along the border are rising again due to the Indian Border Security Force, refusing to adopt safe and effective measures, according to a Bangladeshi rights organisation.

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), led by eminent rights activist Sultana Kamal, which tracks border killings, said four Bangladeshis were killed and five others sustained bullet injuries in BSF firing last March.

In its monthly report, the rights organisation said the number killed was the same in February.

Besides, an elderly person was injured in a grenade explosion on the zero line along the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari upazila in March. One youth was injured in a land mine explosion in the same frontier during the period.

Besides, a youth who was injured during a firing reportedly by an armed man who was trying to enter Bangladeshi territory through the Ukhyia frontier in Cox's Bazar district also succumbed to his injuries in March, the foundation says.

They think that the government has failed to protest border killings, which raises questions among the people. "Such types of incidents on the frontier are never expected anyway."

Apart from border killings and tensions, MSF reported that twelve people died in prison custody during March. Of them, 11 were taken to the medical college hospital outside the jail where they were declared dead.

The foundation prepared the report based on information published in various media and also collected information through its sources.

According to the report, members of law enforcement agencies posing as policemen picked up three people during this period. Later, they were shown as arrested in cases.

It said violence against women and children, including rape, gang rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence and suicides, declined slightly.

Around 247 incidents of violence against women and children were reported last month - 38 less than in February.

Among those incidents, 38 were rapes, nine were organised or gang rapes, and one was an incident of murder after rape. Among the victims, two were disabled women.

At least 40 journalists faced different troubles during this period in fifteen incidents. Besides, three received threats, eight were assaulted, and 17 journalists were attacked while doing their professional duties in March.

Five incidents of minority torture were reported during the period.

According to MSF statistics, casualties from mob beatings increased abnormally in March. Nine people were killed and eight others were critically injured in seven incidents of mob beating last month.