BSF to probe killing of Bangladeshi minor girl near border in Tripura

The killing of a Bangladeshi minor girl near the border in Tripura has escalated into a flashpoint between the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India. The BGB has reportedly blamed the BSF for the killing, prompting the Indian force to launch an investigation. However, Indian security officials allege that the girl, identified as Sawarna Das, may have been killed on the Bangladesh side while allegedly attempting to cross into India.

The BSF has raised concerns with their Bangladeshi counterparts about the “victimisation” of minorities, particularly in the Rajmunirhat section along the border, where there is a significant Hindu population.

Following the discovery of the girl’s bullet-ridden body near the zero line at the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura on the morning of September 2, the BSF and BGB held a flag meeting to discuss the matter. The incident was also reportedly discussed during a meeting of a committee formed by the Home Ministry last month to maintain open communication with Bangladesh and ensure the safety of Indian citizens and minorities there.

The committee met on September 5 to review the situation in Bangladesh, where the investigation into the girl’s death was a key topic. Sources aware of the development told The Tribune that the investigation into the incident also came up for discussion.

Sources revealed that the girl’s body was eventually handed over to Bangladeshi authorities after initial reluctance on their part. It was reported that she had tried to cross into India to meet her relatives. Sources further indicated that the BSF adheres to a strict no-firing policy unless infiltrators force their way through the border, thus ruling out the possibility that she was killed on the Indian side.

Security officials also highlighted that during regular meetings with BGB personnel, the BSF has expressed concerns over the victimisation of minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly in the Rajmunirhat area, which has about a 10 per cent Hindu population.

While the situation along the border appears calm, officials have received reports of targeted attacks on minorities in the region. Sources familiar with the developments noted that despite several rounds of border-level meetings between the BSF and BGB, the BGB remains guarded in discussions, especially following the political shift in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.

Since August 12, the BSF and BGB have conducted around 722 border meetings at various levels. Additionally, both forces have carried out 1,367 simultaneous coordinating patrols (SCPs) in vulnerable border areas within the BSF’s Eastern Command jurisdiction.