A decade later, justice eludes Felani’s family

A decade since Felani Khatun was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF), but her family's wait for justice is not over yet. 

BSF gunned down fifteen-year-old Felani when she along with her father was returning home from India through Anantapur border along Phulbari upazila of Kurigram on January 7, 2011.

The ghastly photo of Felani's body hanging from barbed wire upside down sparked protest throughout the country.

Her father Nurul Islam managed to enter Bangladesh, scaling the barbed-wire fence.

The BSF trooper, Amiya Ghosh, who killed her, faced two phases of trial in an internal court, and was acquitted in both.

A special court constituted by BSF acquitted Amiya Ghosh of the charge on August 19, 2013, says a UNB report.

Later, in wake of criticism of the acquittal, BSF decided to revise the murder trial. However, another judicial court upheld the previous verdict and acquitted Amiya again on July 2, 2015, it says.

Nurul, with the help of Indian human rights organisation "Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha" filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court of India, it adds.

Nurul said he went from door to door to seek justice in the last nine years but is yet to see it. The trial proceeding dates have been deferred several times.

"How would I get justice?" he asked.

Jahanara Begum, Felani's mother, demanded justice, calling upon governments of the two countries.

SM Abraham Lincoln, public prosecutor in Kurigram, said, "I hope Felani's family will get justice."

Meanwhile in a press release, Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA) yesterday called upon the Indian government to take immediate steps for ensuring justice for the killing and provide due compensation to the victim's family.

Besides, it urged both Bangladesh and India to play effective roles to stop border killings.

BNWLA had filed a case with the Indian Supreme Court in 2013 for "transparent and impartial" trial of the killing incident, said the release.

The case was still pending, it said.

Commemorating Felani's death and demanding en to border killings, a photography exhibition featuring works of Parvez Ahmed was held yesterday at the yard of the girl's ancestral home in Kurigram, said another press release.