NHRC urged to address the alleged assault and harassment of fisherman in Murshidabad district

By Kirity Roy*

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been urged to address the alleged assault and harassment of Mr. Anowar Mondal, a 20-year-old fisherman from Parashpur village in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Mr. Mondal, who belongs to a family of impoverished fishermen, relies on river fishing for his livelihood. The incident highlights issues of human rights violations, abuse of power, and its impact on the livelihood and dignity of vulnerable communities.

On November 8, 2024, at approximately 6:00 am, Mr. Mondal was fishing near Toltoli Ferighat with other local fishermen when he was summoned by Border Security Force (BSF) Camp Commander, Mr. Shibram. According to the victim, he approached the BSF personnel without provocation but was verbally abused and physically assaulted with a ruler stick. The BSF commander also confiscated Mr. Mondal’s Fishermen Card, marking it with red ink, potentially rendering it invalid.

The attack left Mr. Mondal with significant physical injuries and mental trauma, jeopardizing his livelihood and instilling fear within the fishing community.

The incident underscores a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, including:

Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty.

Article 19: Freedom to practice any profession or carry out any occupation.

Article 22: Protection against arbitrary detention.

Such actions by the BSF personnel not only undermine the safety and dignity of fishermen but also disrupt their ability to earn a living without fear of harassment or violence.

A formal appeal has been made to the NHRC to intervene and address the situation. The demands include:

1. Impartial Investigation: Conduct an unbiased probe into the alleged assault and harassment, ensuring accountability for the BSF officer involved.

2. Police Accountability: Examine why local police failed to register a case, opting instead for a diary entry despite the gravity of the offense.

3. Protection for Victims and Witnesses: Ensure the safety of Mr. Mondal and witnesses to prevent further intimidation.

4. Medical Assistance and Compensation: Provide necessary medical aid and adequate compensation for Mr. Mondal’s physical and mental suffering.

5. Reinstatement of Fishermen Card: Restore Mr. Mondal’s card without restrictions, safeguarding his right to livelihood.

6. Respect for State-Issued Identification: Ensure that BSF personnel recognize the Fishermen Card issued by the West Bengal government.

7. BSF Jurisdiction: Limit BSF activities to the international border, preventing undue interference in civilian life within the village.

8. Safe Working Environment: Guarantee that local fishermen can work without fear of harassment or violence.

The incident raises critical questions about the conduct of security forces and their impact on civilian life in border areas. The appeal emphasizes the need for accountability and measures to prevent abuse of power by those entrusted with national security responsibilities.

The intervention of the NHRC is crucial to restore justice, uphold human rights, and ensure that Mr. Mondal and other fishermen can lead their lives with dignity and security.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM)

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Study links sanctions to 500,000 deaths annually leading to rise in global backlash

By Bharat Dogra International opinion is increasingly turning against the expanding burden of sanctions imposed on a growing number of countries. These measures are contributing to humanitarian crises, intensifying domestic discord, and heightening international tensions, thereby increasing the risks of conflicts and wars.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge — Blurring the line between fiction and political narrative

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* "Dhurandhar: The Revenge" does not wait to be remembered; it arrives almost on the heels of its predecessor, released on March 19, 2026, just months after the first film’s December 2025 debut. The speed of its arrival feels less like creative urgency and more like calculated timing—cinema responding not to storytelling rhythm but to the emotional climate of its audience. Director Aditya Dhar, along with actor Yami Gautam, appears acutely aware of this moment and how to harness it.

BJP accounts for 99% of political donations in Gujarat: Corporate giants dominate

By Jag Jivan An analysis of the official data on donations received by national parties from Gujarat during the Financial Year 2024-25 reveals a staggering concentration of funding, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounting for nearly the entirety of the contributions. The data, compiled in a document titled "National Parties donations received from Gujarat during FY-2024-25," lists thousands of transactions, painting a detailed picture of the financial backing for political parties from one of India’s most industrially significant states.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

Captains extraordinaire: Ranking cricket’s most influential skippers

By Harsh Thakor* Ranking the greatest cricket captains is a subjective exercise, often sparking passionate debate among fans. The following list is not merely a tally of wins and losses; it is an assessment of leadership’s deeper impact. My criteria fuse a captain’s playing record with their tactical skill, placing the highest consideration on their ability to reshape a team’s fortunes and inspire those around them. A captain who inherited a dominant empire is judged differently from one who resurrected a nation’s cricket from the doldrums. With that in mind, here is my perspective on the finest leaders the game has ever seen.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

‘No merit’ in Chakraborty’s claims: Personal ethics talk sans details raises questions

By Jag Jivan A recent opinion piece published in The Quint by Subhash Chandra Garg has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Atanu Chakraborty from HDFC Bank , with Garg stating that the exit “raises doubts about his own ‘ethics’.” Garg, currently Chief Policy Advisor at Subhanjali and former Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, writes that the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) appears to find no substance in Chakraborty’s claims, noting, “It is clear the RBI sees no merit in Atanu Chakraborty’s wild and vague assertions.”

Search This Blog