A forum for professionals of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, named Sadharan Sonatani Peshajibi Forum (Saspefo), strongly protested and condemned the killing of a minor Bangladeshi girl Swarna Das at the Bangladesh-India border in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar district.

The 13-year-old from Kalnigarh village of West Juri Union in Moulvibazar was shot and killed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) while illegally trying to cross the border fence with her mother Sanjita Das and others to meet with his elder brother who is a resident of Tripura on 1 September.

The BSF took Swarna’s body while the remaining group including her mother, who was also injured, sought refuge in Lalarchak village.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) informed Swarna’s family of her death on 2 September while a case had been filed with the Irani Police Station in Tripura.

Swarna's dead body was handed over to his father Parendra Das after a flag meeting between the BGB and BSF was held on 3 September.

The forum sent an official protest note to the Daily Sun on Friday demanding a proper inquiry into the killing, identifying the responsible persons, and bringing them to justice as well as asking for compensation for the victim’s family to the government of India and Tripura and the other concerned authorities.

The forum also urged the government of Bangladesh to seek help from the international communities and countries to put pressure on India for a proper inquiry into this killing and compensation for the victim’s family.

The note further stated that both countries and media should stop playing any 'blame game and politics' on any killing at any border as these incidents are a clear image of the violation of human rights and urged to end the practice of impunity.

BDST: 2106 HRS, SEP 6, 2024
MSK