Human rights group alleges BSF harassment, border security lapses in West Bengal villages

By A Representative

Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), a human rights organization, has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging severe human rights violations and deteriorating living conditions in the border villages of Hakimpur and Daharkandha under Swarupnagar Police Station, North 24 Parganas district. MASUM, along with the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), claims that the Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for the villagers' plight.

A fact-finding report conducted by MASUM details how the BSF’s actions have drastically impacted the lives of the 11,701 residents of these villages, comprised of Muslim OBC, Hindu Scheduled Caste, and other backward communities. The report alleges that the BSF has established unauthorized checkpoints deep within the villages, far from the actual Indo-Bangladesh border along the Sonai River. This, MASUM claims, has not only failed to secure the border, leading to increased cross-border crimes like smuggling and human trafficking, but has also severely restricted the villagers' movement and livelihoods.

"Instead of guarding the border, the BSF is harassing villagers," Kirity Roy, Secretary of MASUM and National Convenor of PACTI, stated in the petition to the NHRC. "This illegal relocation of BSF posts has actually left the border open to criminal activity."

The report details how the BSF's presence has crippled the local economy. Villagers, primarily dependent on agriculture, are allegedly harassed and threatened when trying to access their fields. Fishing in the Sonai River, once a major source of income, has been completely halted by the BSF, even for villagers with valid fishing permits. Small-scale industries have also suffered due to BSF interference with raw material supplies.

The impact on essential services is also highlighted. Children face harassment on their way to school, leading to increased dropout rates, while teachers are reluctant to travel to the area due to fear of BSF personnel. Access to healthcare is severely restricted, with villagers often denied passage to the local health sub-center, even in emergencies. MASUM's report alleges that this has led to preventable tragedies, particularly for pregnant women, the elderly, and the critically ill.

The report further alleges that women are particularly vulnerable, facing frequent harassment from BSF personnel. MASUM claims that the BSF's actions have created an atmosphere of fear, restricting women's movement and impacting social events like weddings.

MASUM has previously submitted numerous complaints to the NHRC, BSF, the West Bengal government, and the Union of India regarding similar incidents. The current petition includes references to incidents dated 9/7/2024; 6/8/2024; 21/8/2024; 23/8/2024; 18/9/2024 and NHRC Case No. 50/25/2024 - PF, underscoring the ongoing nature of the problem.

MASUM is urging the NHRC to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged human rights violations, dismantle the unauthorized BSF checkpoints, ensure the protection of villagers' fundamental rights, and restore access to essential services. They are demanding accountability for the BSF's actions and justice for the affected villagers.

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