BSF person fired at innocent farmer, 'thought' he was smuggler, no complaint registered

By Kirity Roy*

A heartbreaking incident has come to light involving the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed at the Gitaldah Border Outpost (BOP) of D Company, 90 BSF Battalion. On June 15, 2024, the life of 29-year-old Mustafa Ali was for ever changed when he was shot by a BSF officer.

In the early hours of June 15, 2024, around 4 am, Mustafa, an innocent farmer, was struck in his left leg by bullets fired by the BSF personnel while he was returning to his home from his maternal uncle’s house.

At Dak Bunglow crossing towards the Ghosh Para road, he received the bullet (pellets) injury at his left foot. Despite the extreme pain and fear, he managed to run for his life and sought refuge at his maternal uncle's home. For three agonizing days, he was treated by a local quack, but his condition showed no improvement.

On June 19, 2024, Dr Indrajit Das examined Mustafa and revealed the horrifying truth that six bullets were there in his left leg, smashing the bone. The suffering that Mustafa endured is beyond words. He was then moved to Patna, Bihar. There he was examined and admitted to the Anup Institute of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation on June 24, 2024, where orthopedic surgeon Dr RN Singh performed a critical operation.

After enduring a month of painful rehabilitation, Mustafa was able to walk again, but only with the help of a stick. The total cost of his treatment amounted to nearly Rs 2,00,000 -- a staggering amount for a poor farmer.

Mustafa is aged about 29, and resides in village Kharija Haridas under Block Dinhata 1, district Cooch Behar, with his wife and 3-year-old daughter. A humble farmer, he earned no more than Rs 4,000 a month till this tragic incident occurred.

When our fact-finding team of the Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha

(MASUM) contacted the BSF personnel at the Gitaldaha BOP, they claimed they fired at him believing he was a smuggler. But in reality, he was just a passerby.

It was also learned that the spot, where Mustafa received pellets, is about 2.5 kilometres inside the Indian territory from the international border.

On July 19, 2024, Mustafa’s wife, Pinki Khatoon, lodged a complaint to the Superintendent of Police in Cooch Behar, sending it through a registered post. She pleaded for action against the BSF officer responsible for this senseless act of violence and prayed for compensation. Yet, no case has been registered to date.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for accountability and compassion in the actions of security forces. Innocent lives like Mustafa’s should not be shattered by such acts of violence. He was an innocent civilian struggling to make a living.

After going through the incident, lots of questions arise:

Are BSF allowed to fire 2.5 kilometers inside the territory?
Why on duty BSF did not apprehend the person when his movement was suspicious?
Why after firing the on-duty BSF constable did not arrest the suspicious man?
Why was the incident of firing and injuring one civilian not reported to the police?
Are powers vested to BSF personnel above the Constitution of India?
Why didn't the police start a case against BSF after receiving a written complaint?
The officials concerned should enquire into the incident and take legal steps so that the victim and his family get justice and reparation.
The victim's family should be provided safety and security.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM). This article is based on the author's representation to the Principal Secretary, Home & Hill Affairs, Government of West Bengal

Comments

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Concentration of wealth in India at levels 'comparable to colonial times', says new report

By Jag Jivan A new report published in March 2026 by the Centre for Financial Accountability and the Tax The Top campaign paints a stark picture of deepening economic disparity in India, documenting a concentration of wealth that it argues is “comparable to colonial times.” Titled Wealth Tracker India | Tax the Top. Close the Gap , the compilation presents data from the World Inequality Database and the Hurun Rich List to illustrate the meteoric rise of the ultra-wealthy alongside the stagnation and debt burdens of the majority.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Beneath the stone: Revisiting the New Jersey mandir controversy

By Rajiv Shah A recent report published in the British media outlet The Guardian , titled “Workers carved the largest modern Hindu temple in the west. Now, some have incurable lung disease,” took me back to my visits to the New Jersey mandir —first in 2022, when it was still under construction, though parts of it were open to visitors, and again in 2024, after its completion.

Search This Blog