The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has officially lodged a protest with the Indian government following the tragic killing of a 13-year-old Bangladeshi girl, Shwarna Das. The incident occurred on September 1, 2024, in Juri Upazila, located in Moulvibazar district, near the Bangladesh-India border. According to reports, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly opened fire, resulting in the death of the young girl.
Incident Details
Shwarna Das was reportedly shot by the BSF while they were conducting a patrol near the border. Local sources indicate that the shooting took place without provocation, and her family has been left devastated by the loss. The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Bangladesh, with citizens and human rights groups demanding justice and stricter accountability measures from Indian authorities.
On Monday morning, BSF personnel in Tripura discovered the body of the girl, bearing bullet wounds, at the zero line near the India-Bangladesh border fence. Indian officials claimed that she was allegedly shot by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while attempting to cross into India illegally.
Her body was handed over to the BGB on Tuesday evening, more than 24 hours after the Bangladeshi side initially refused to accept it. A flag meeting between the two forces was held to resolve the situation.
Bangladesh’s Response
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh expressed deep concern over the frequent killings of Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF. In its formal protest, the Ministry emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful border relations and protecting the human rights of civilians living in border areas. Bangladesh urged India to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that such tragedies do not happen in the future.
Ongoing Border Tensions
This incident is not an isolated one, as Bangladesh has repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing number of border-related deaths involving Indian security forces. Despite various diplomatic efforts, these incidents continue to strain relations between the two neighboring countries. The Bangladesh government has called for more coordinated and humane border security measures to prevent further loss of life.
Human Rights Groups Call for Action
Following the killing, several human rights organizations in Bangladesh have condemned the incident, urging both governments to address the issue urgently. They argue that the safety and well-being of border communities should be a top priority and that such violent incidents must be prevented at all costs.
The tragic death of Shwarna Das has once again highlighted the ongoing tensions along the Bangladesh-India border. As Bangladesh continues to press India for accountability and justice, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, calling for both nations to work together to prevent further violence and protect the rights of their citizens.
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