Emran Emon

An innocent 14-year-old Swarna Das, and a student of class eight, was recently shot dead by the Indian BSF while visiting Tripura. But there was no strong protest against this killing from Bangladesh government. The question generally arises--why Bangladesh did not strongly protest against it.

Earlier, thirteen and a half years ago, on January 7, 2011, a 15-year-old Felani Khatun was shot dead by the India's Border Security Force (BSF) at Anantapur border in Kurigram. At that time, Felani Khatun was returning from India to Bangladesh with her father. And in 2024, Swarna Das was going from Bangladesh to India with her mother. What are the similarities with the two events!

The body of then Felani Khatun was hanging on the barbed wire fence for a long time. The picture created a stir in the national and international media at that time. But there was no trial for that Felani murder. Swarna Das' body was also hanging on the barbed wire fence. The body of Swarna Das was also handed over after two days. Will there be any justice for the murder of Swarna Das in 2024?

From Felani Khatun to Swarna Das: When will the border killings by India's Border Security Force (BSF) stop? How fragile is the foreign policy of a country that the force of other country's can carry out such aggression on the border, shoot and kill indiscriminately. Have we been able to ensure the security of the border?

Bangladesh should strongly protest and ensure justice for all previous border killings, including the recent Swarna Das murder. Moreover, Bangladesh should emphasize on strengthening the fragile foreign policy.

The writer is a researcher, journalist and columnist.