Investigate alleged killings by BSF along Bangladesh border: HRW to India

Indian authorities should investigate and prosecute newly alleged abuses by its Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh border, said Human Rights Watch in a statement today.

BSF is continuing to commit abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and ill-treatment of both Indian and Bangladeshi border residents, Indian and Bangladeshi NGOs have reported.

BSF members who are deployed to prevent cattle rustling, smuggling, and illegal crossings, say they use force only when they come under attack.

"Indian government orders to border forces to exercise restraint and limit the use of live ammunition have not prevented new killings, torture, and other serious abuses," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The government's failure to hold security personnel accountable has led to further abuses and the harassment of very poor and vulnerable populations."

The Indian government has issued public orders to exercise restraint and end unlawful killings, and made assurances to Bangladesh, during talks in December 2020, the statement added.

BSF have killed at least 334 Bangladeshis since 2011 including 51 in 2020, Bangladeshi NGO Odhikar said.

Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), an Indian organisation that has investigated at least 105 alleged killings by BSF in the border areas in West Bengal state since 2011, said that the actual number of killings is most likely higher.

In August last year, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry raised concerns over the border killings, stating, "this is in violation of all bilateral agreements and that the BSF must exercise maximum restraint."

The Indian government should comply with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, HRW said in the statement.

"The Indian government should demonstrate its promised zero tolerance for abuses at the Bangladesh border by ending the culture of impunity for its border soldiers," it said.

"By prosecuting security personnel responsible for crimes, India can show its commitment to the rule of law in the region," Meenakshi added.