4 Bangladeshis injured as BSF members 'beat people, fire rubber bullets' at Kurigram border

Members of the India's Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly beat and injured four Bangladeshis at the Fulbari border in Kurigram today (14 February), creating tension along the border.

The incident took place near pillar no-930 on the Balarhat border in Naodanga union of Fulbari upazila this afternoon, reports Prothom Alo.

The injured were identified as Shamsul Alam, 60, Jabed Ali, 55, Tajul Islam, 40 and Kashem Ali, 50. They are all residents of Paschim Balatari village.

Lalmonirhat 15 BGB commander Lieutenant Colonel Shakil Alam said, "The incident created tension as some Bangladeshis gathered at the border. We are working to get detailed information about the incident. We will have to wait to know more details about this."

According to locals and relatives of the injured, Shamsul was sitting 200 to 300 yards inside the Bangladesh border area. At that time, 10 to 12 BSF members suddenly crossed the international border line and asked him why he was sitting there. An argument ensued between them.

At one stage, the BSF members hit Shamshul with the butt of their guns, injuring his hand. Later, he returned to his village and informed the locals about the incident. Then the locals went there and chased the BSF members with sticks. At that time, the BSF members fired rubber bullets and beat up some Bangladeshis, injuring at least three people, they said.

A local resident named Ashiq Ahmed said, "We did not go to the Indian border. They came inside Bangladesh and beat up people in our area. When we went to protest with sticks, they fired rubber bullets. Later, some BGB members came and removed the Bangladeshi citizens away from the zero line."