Plea to probe 'extra-judicial execution' of poor labourer off Bangla border

By A Representative

Hooghly-based human rights defender Kirity Roy, in a representation to the National Human Rights Commission chairperson, has said that there was an incident of "extra-judicial execution of a poor young man belonging from minority Muslim community Purbo Ghaterbari village under Mathabhanga Police Station in West Bengal."

Heading Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha and Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity, Roy claimed, "The victim, Rakesh Hossain, aged about 25 years, was severely beaten by sticks and rifle butts, allegedly posted Border Security Force (BSF) personnel broke his both wrists, finally fired on his navel from close proximity by BSF personnel attached with Milrepara Border Out Post of ‘A’ Company under 169 Battalion of BSF."

Stating that Rakesh Hossain was a migrant labourer and was the sole earning member of his family consisting of four members, including two little sons, Roy alleged, "On May 22, 2024 at about 11:45 pm, some BSF personnel apprehended the deceased, tortured him and then fired him to death." This was done "without any justified reason and in contrary to their official stance of minimizing killing at India Bangladesh border."

Roy said, "The incident violates the rights guaranteed in Article 21 of Indian Constitution, and the premise of Article 2 and 6 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international instrument; the government of India is a party and have agreement."

He demanded that the BSF "must be posted in actual border area and not inside villages"; the incident showed that "systematic killing with impunity is going on regularly, which should be stopped";the

incident "must be investigated by a neutral agency appointed by NHRC"; the guilty BSF personnel "must be booked and prosecuted"; the family of the victim "must be compensated"; and "ecurity and safety of the witnesses and the family of victim must be protected."

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