A 16-year-old girl from Bangladesh lost her life in a tragic incident at the India-Bangladesh border near Kalerkhandi village in Kailashahar. Swarna Das was fatally shot by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops while attempting to cross the international boundary with her parents.
According to eyewitnesses, the family had hired a human trafficker to help them illegally enter India. On Sunday night, they were trying to cross the border near pillar no-57 when BGB personnel opened fire. Swarna was struck by a bullet and died at the zero point. Her parents, Rebati Das and Rani Das, managed to escape back to Bangladesh but were later apprehended by the BGB. Both parents are currently undergoing treatment at Moulvibazar District Hospital.
The incident came to light on Monday morning when BSF personnel discovered the girl’s body. Due to the death occurring within Indian territory, Bangladeshi authorities were unable to retrieve the body. Local police, including the Additional Superintendent of Police, Unakoti district, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Kailashahar, and the OC of Irani police station, along with BSF officials, reached the scene and recovered the body. The body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem to Unakoti district hospital.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage in the region and highlighted the dangers associated with illegal border crossings. The incident has also caused a sense of fear among residents of Kalerkhandi village, who were startled by the sound of gunfire late on Sunday night.
Local residents and human rights activists have condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Swarna’s death. They have also urged both governments to take steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
