Mamata to ask Centre to rein in ‘trigger-happy’ BSF

A senior Trinamool leader said five people were killed in the BSF firing in Cooch Behar district, while four lost their lives in the firing in North 24-Parganas in the last six months. "During the same period two persons were killed in BSF firing in Malda, three in North Dinajpur and two in South Dinajpur districts. While some of those killed in the BSF are Indians, some others are Bangladesh nationals and a few are yet to be identified," the Trinamool leader said.

Additional Director General of BSF, Bangshidhar Sharma, however, denied allegations that Indian citizens were killed in the firing in the border areas. "BSF fire on smugglers and not on common people. The jawans used arms when they come under attack. The fire is opened as a last resort. More than 200 BSF men were injured in the attack by smugglers in the past. No one speaks when BSF jawans get assaulted," said Sharma.

In May 2010, India and Bangladesh signed Joint Records of Discussion at Delhi to ensure than no innocent life is lost at the border due to border guards action. During the discussion, the top officials of border guard forces expressed concern over loss of human lifes of common people at borders and agreed to take action to stop it.

Human Rights Organisation, Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), which works against alleged BSF atrocities, complained that despite lodging complaints to state and central authorities as well as state and National Human Rights Commission, no action is taken against the BSF in most of the cases.

"Along the border more than 1,100 people, majority of whom are Indian, have been killed in past one decade. What we have observed that there is a close nexus between police, administration, customs and the BSF in the bordering districts. The victims of BSF torture never get treatment in police stations. Their complaints are not registered at police stations. Even if a torture victim manages to get his complaint recorded, probe does not progress," said Kirity Roy of MASUM.

... contd.

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