Rights group moves NHRC over alleged BSF firing on civilians in South Salmara–Mankachar

By A Representative 

A complaint has been submitted to the National Human Rights Commission alleging that personnel of the Border Security Force opened fire on two civilian brothers in Assam’s South Salmara–Mankachar District, leaving both critically injured.

According to the complaint filed by Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha and National Convenor of Programme Against Custodial Torture and Impunity, the incident occurred during the intervening night of 8–9 March at around 2:30 a.m. in Village Kanaimara 1st Part. Rashidul Islam and his younger brother Rejabul Sk., residents of the village, had reportedly gone to catch fish in a nearby river when BSF personnel posted at OP No. 3 under BOP Dipchar allegedly opened fire on them.

The complaint states that the river where the brothers were fishing is located well within Indian territory, about one and a half kilometres from the international border with Bangladesh. Both victims sustained severe gunshot injuries. Rashidul Islam reportedly suffered a bullet injury to the abdomen, while Rejabul Sk. sustained a critical head injury. They are currently undergoing treatment at a private medical facility in Guwahati and are said to be in critical condition.

The victims’ family has alleged that the firing took place without warning and that the BSF personnel left the spot after the incident. Local villagers and family members reportedly rushed to the scene after hearing gunshots and transported the injured men to a nearby hospital. The complaint further claims that no illegal items were recovered from the victims and that no assistance was provided by the personnel involved.

The wife of one of the injured men, identified as Rejina, reportedly attempted to file a complaint with the police. According to the submission, she approached the police station in Mankachar on 10 March seeking registration of an FIR but was directed to the police station in South Salmara. When she submitted the complaint there, it was received but no receipt or diary number was provided and the complaint was not registered as an FIR, the petition states.

The representation to the commission also alleges that the failure of the police to register the complaint constitutes neglect of statutory duty in relation to a cognisable offence. After being unable to secure action locally, the complainant said that Rejina sent the complaint electronically to the Superintendent of Police of South Salmara–Mankachar.

The complaint urges the National Human Rights Commission to order an independent investigation into the incident, direct the registration of an FIR against the personnel involved, ensure proper medical treatment for the injured victims at government expense, and provide compensation to the victims and their families.

The petition also contends that the incident amounts to violations of constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19 and 21, as well as obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a party.