In a complaint against a serving BSF personnel for allegedly threatening and abusing a "respectable member" from the minority community, human rights activist Kirity Roy, secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), has said that for the last three months he is bing threatened that he would be implicates in cases on cow smuggling and other illegal activities.
In a letter to Dr Hari Krishna Dwivedi, State chief secretary, Roy said, the person, Alifar Miyaz, is an elected member of the Gram Panchayet from the ruling party, and is also under threat by BSF "for eating beef", a normal diet in West Bengal.
Text:
I would like to draw your kind attention to the highly condemnable behaviour of a serving personnel of the BSF (Border Security Force) towards a respectable member of Mohismudi village in Cooch Behar district. Shri Alifar Miya, the husband of Smt Chalima Bibi, an elected member of the Khalisamari Gram Panchayat in Sitalkuchi block of Cooch Behar district faced intimidation, threats and mental harassment from a serving BSF personnel named, Shri Manoj Kumar of G Company. For the past three months he has been continuously harassing Shri Alifar Miya with threats to implicate him in cases on cow smuggling and other illegal activities. He also insulted him and the community for consuming beef.Shri Alifar Miya is a respectable man and husband of elected panchayet member of the village and is known for his deep involvement in social work activities and in taking up major responsibilities in organizing community events. The concerned personnel of the BSF, Shri Manoj Kumar has been continuously harassing Shri Miya which is affecting his state of mind leading to mental health concerns.
He is finding it difficult to carry out his normal activities in the community and has been forced to go through trauma and agony due to such threats and intimidation meted out to him. On 28/09/2023, Shri Manoj Kumar barged into the residence of Shri Alifar Miya and threatened to put him behind bars on false charges. He even had the audacity to give himself an ultimatum of six months to influence the process of suspending the panchayat membership of his wife, Smt Chalima Bibi.
On the next day, i.e. 29/09/2023 the couple complained about the disturbing behaviour of Shri Kumar to the second in command of the concerned formation of the BSF. Immediately they received a call from a cell phone number (+91-7063814958) and the voice on the other end could be recognized as that of Shri Kumar.
He abused Shri Alifar Miya and used filthy words to establish the point that no one could restrain him from disturbing the peaceful existence of the couple as respected members of society. Complaints were lodged through written letters to the offices of the Inspector in Charge, Sitalkuchi Police Station; Block Development Officer, Sitalkuchi and Sub-Divisional Officer, Mathabhanga (receipted copies attached). The panchayat pradhan of the Khalisamari Gram Panchayat has also attested his signature to the letters. Despite approaching the members of the police and civic authorities, no notable action has been taken to date.
The BSF stationed in West Bengal are becoming threat to life and livelihood of bordering populace of the state. Now they are attacking the elected members of the local-self-government too. We would urge you to take immediate measures in conducting a speedy enquiry into the matter and direct the concerned department to take appropriate action against Shri Manoj Kumar. It should set a precedence to ensure that such harassment is not faced by any other person from men in uniform in border villages.
Thanking you, in anticipation of a favourable response from your end.
He abused Shri Alifar Miya and used filthy words to establish the point that no one could restrain him from disturbing the peaceful existence of the couple as respected members of society. Complaints were lodged through written letters to the offices of the Inspector in Charge, Sitalkuchi Police Station; Block Development Officer, Sitalkuchi and Sub-Divisional Officer, Mathabhanga (receipted copies attached). The panchayat pradhan of the Khalisamari Gram Panchayat has also attested his signature to the letters. Despite approaching the members of the police and civic authorities, no notable action has been taken to date.
The BSF stationed in West Bengal are becoming threat to life and livelihood of bordering populace of the state. Now they are attacking the elected members of the local-self-government too. We would urge you to take immediate measures in conducting a speedy enquiry into the matter and direct the concerned department to take appropriate action against Shri Manoj Kumar. It should set a precedence to ensure that such harassment is not faced by any other person from men in uniform in border villages.
Thanking you, in anticipation of a favourable response from your end.
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