Human rights activist Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and National Convenor of the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), has submitted a detailed complaint to the Chief Minister of West Bengal seeking immediate intervention into the alleged assault of a 64-year-old farmer by a Border Security Force (BSF) officer and the subsequent refusal of police to register a First Information Report (FIR).
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on July 13, 2026, at around 10:30 a.m., when Mrityunjoy Biswas, a resident of Hakimpur village in North 24 Parganas, was carrying a bucket of wet paddy seeds to his agricultural field located near the Hakimpur BSF Camp.
The complaint alleges that a senior BSF officer summoned Biswas to an observation point. When the farmer requested the officer to come to him because he was carrying a heavy bucket, the officer allegedly approached him, abused him using obscene language, physically assaulted him, searched the bucket and threw the paddy seeds into the field. The complaint further states that the officer threatened the farmer with serious consequences if he reported the incident.
Roy's complaint says local residents rushed to the spot after hearing Biswas' cries and questioned the officer, who then left the area.
The complaint states that Biswas, who belongs to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, suffered injuries to his left arm, wrist and ankle. He was reportedly taken to Sarapul Hospital, where he underwent medical examination and X-ray investigations.
According to the representation, Biswas later approached Swarupnagar Police Station to lodge a written complaint. However, the police allegedly refused to register an FIR despite the disclosure of cognizable offences and did not visit the scene or initiate any inquiry.
The complaint also alleges that a local political worker, identified as Najmul Hossen, later visited Biswas' residence and allegedly attempted to persuade him not to pursue legal action against the BSF personnel.
In his representation, Roy has urged the Chief Minister to order registration of an FIR against the concerned BSF officer, direct an independent investigation, initiate action against police officials for alleged dereliction of duty, investigate allegations of intimidation of the victim, ensure protection for the farmer and his family, award compensation, and preserve all medical, documentary and electronic evidence related to the incident.
"The conduct of the concerned BSF officer is wholly illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional. Personnel of the Border Security Force have no authority to assault civilians, use obscene and degrading language, destroy private property, or intimidate citizens. Such acts constitute serious violations of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India," Roy said in the complaint.
Roy further alleged that the refusal of the police to register the complaint amounted to a failure to perform their statutory duties and called for immediate intervention "in the interest of justice, accountability and the rule of law."
The allegations contained in the complaint have been made by the complainant and had not been independently verified at the time of publication. There was no immediate response available from the Border Security Force or the West Bengal Police regarding the allegations.
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