Border Killings of Bangladeshis Violate Human Rights

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has described the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the border as a clear violation of human rights. He said the issue has been strongly raised in the Director General-level border conferences between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF.

He made the remarks in response to a question from ruling party reserved seat MP Nilofar Chowdhury Moni during Wednesday’s question-and-answer session in Parliament.

The home minister said there has been no formal agreement or discussion with the Indian government regarding financial compensation for families of those killed by BSF firing along the border. However, Bangladesh has consistently objected to the use of lethal weapons under the pretext of self-defense. He added that issues of compensation and accountability have also been raised in various meetings. In case of any untoward incident at the border, authorities take steps to bring the situation under control quickly through flag meetings.

In response to a question from BNP MP Mohammad Abdul Malik of Sylhet-3, the home minister said that since August 5, 2024, out of 2,369 individuals pushed in by the BSF, 2,175 have been sent to the concerned police stations, 11 have been returned to the BSF, and 183 have been pushed back.

He added that BGB has also foiled 36 attempted push-ins by the BSF following the West Bengal state assembly elections in India.

In response to a question from BNP MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas of Pabna-5, he said that initiatives have been taken to construct barbed wire fencing along the Myanmar border alongside efforts to strengthen security and prevent border killings, infiltration, and drug and arms smuggling. He added that plans are also under consideration to build fencing in sensitive areas along the India border.

In response to a question from BNP MP Abul Kalam of Cumilla-9, the home minister said that the number of patients addicted to ICE or crystal methamphetamine is rising in the country, which is a matter of concern. He said the Department of Narcotics Control is working relentlessly to curb drug abuse, while regular patrols and operations are being conducted in border districts to prevent drug trafficking through the Myanmar and India borders.

In response to a question from ruling party reserved seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Salahuddin said that goods worth Tk 1,979.53 crore were seized over the past year in various smuggling operations. During the same period, BGB recovered 18.37 million yaba tablets, 55,908 bottles of phensedyl, 18,463 kilograms of cannabis, 106,709 bottles of foreign liquor, 15.577 kilograms of ICE, 2.08 kilograms of cocaine, and 62 bottles of LSD. A total of 2,189 individuals were also arrested during this period.

In response to a question from independent MP of Kishoreganj Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, the home minister said the Department of Narcotics Control conducted 30,744 anti-drug operations across the country from February 17 to May 31.

He said these operations led to 9,251 cases and the arrest of 9,685 drug traders.

He further said that a nationwide special drive against drugs and terrorism has been underway since May 1 under the direction of the current government. As of June 8, the drive resulted in 7,688 drug-related cases and the arrest of 10,865 people. During the same period, authorities recovered 125 illegal firearms and arrested 269 individuals in connection with arms-related cases.

In response to a question from BNP MP Sultan Mahmud Babu of Jamalpur-2, the home minister said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken various steps to control the activities of teenage gangs in the capital. He said DMP’s cyber unit is continuously monitoring Facebook pages, secret groups, and TikTok accounts operated by gang members.

He added that under the jurisdiction of RAB-2, 119 anti-robbery operations were conducted in the Mohammadpur area since August 5, 2024, leading to the arrest of 252 robbers. Legal action has been taken against them.

In response to a question from NCP MP of Cumilla-4 Hasnat Abdullah, the home minister said that Bangladesh’s 75 prisons have a total capacity of 45,136 inmates, while 77,040 prisoners are currently housed in them, meaning the prisons are operating at about 1.7 times their capacity.

In response to a question from ruling party reserved seat MP Selina Sultana Nishita, he said that 50 percent of the profit from goods produced by prisoners is given to the inmates.

In response to a question from BNP reserved seat MP Arifa Sultana Roma, the home minister said that Bangladesh Police, BTRC, intelligence agencies, and other relevant institutions are working jointly to block online gambling and betting sites and protect the public from their harmful effects.

He said the government has taken initiatives to repeal the ‘Public Gambling Act, 1867’ and introduce a new law titled the ‘Gambling Prevention Act-2026’ to curb online gambling and betting apps and shut down illegal platforms.