‘BSF’ shoots man dead

A Bangladeshi man was shot dead allegedly by Indian Border Security Force at Dantbhanga border in Kurigram's Roumari upazila early yesterday.

The dead, Shahibar Rahman, 36, was from Ambari village in Dantbhanga union of the upazila, police said.

The incident took place near Kauniar Char area of Dantbhanga union.

Upon receiving the information, police recovered the body of Shahibar Rahman in the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members on Saturday morning and brought it to the police station.

Quoting locals, Dantbhanga Union Parishad Chairman Reazul Haque said a group of people, including Shahibar, went to India on Friday night to smuggle cattle into Bangladesh.

At that time, BSF members from Dwipchar camp in India opened fired at the Bangladeshis, leaving Shahibar with bullet wounds to the chest.

Shahibar's partners rescued him from the spot, but he died on the way home. Police recovered the body from his house in the morning and took it to the police station, the UP chairman said.

However, family members of the deceased claimed that some locals, including Shahibar, went fishing in a river in the border area. Shahibar was shot dead when the BSF members opened fire on him taking him for a smuggler. They said Shahibar was not involved in smuggling.

BGB 35 Battalion's Dantbhanga Company Camp Commander Subedar Jayen Uddin said Shahibar's family members and locals told them that he was shot dead by BSF.

"We have sent a letter to the BSF asking them about the firing at border, but the BSF didn't reply until 3:00pm [yesterday]," he said.

Roumari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Montaser Billah said the body would be handed to the deceased's family members after an autopsy.