To read the full report in PDF, please visit: Annual State of Indo-Bangla Border Violence 2023
The report reveals a troubling pattern of violence, with the majority of incidents being perpetrated against males, resulting in 64 male victims from 53 incidents, while females were targeted in two incidents, leading to two female victims. Despite the lower number of incidents involving females, the violence they experienced was equally severe.
Key Findings
Victims and Gender Breakdown: Out of the 55 incidents, 53 targeted males, resulting in 64 male victims. Two incidents involved females, leading to two female victims. Despite the lower number of incidents involving females, the severity of the violence was equally devastating.
Types of Violence: The report categorizes the violence into shootings, physical assaults, and detainments. In 29 incidents, gunfire resulted in 30 fatalities. Twenty-two incidents left 27 individuals injured, while four incidents involved the detainment of 10 individuals.
Perpetrators: The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was responsible for 52 incidents, resulting in 63 Bangladeshi victims. Indian criminals perpetrated two incidents, resulting in two victims. One incident was attributed to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), victimizing one individual.
Methods of Violence: Forty-three incidents involved shootings, resulting in 47 victims. Five incidents involved physical torture, leading to six injuries. Four incidents entailed the use of excessive force, causing the detainment of 10 individuals. Explosives were used in three incidents, resulting in three injuries.
Victims’ Demographics: The violence impacted various demographic groups, including day laborers, cattle traders, farmers, fishermen, smugglers, students, and housewives, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Geographical Distribution:The violence spanned several divisions in Bangladesh. Chittagong (three incidents, four injours), Rajshahi (six incidents, five deaths, one injury), Khulna (nine incidents, seven deaths, eight detainments, one injury), Sylhet (six incidents, three deaths, three injuries), and Rangpur (31 incidents, 15 deaths, 17 injuries, one detainment) all bore witness to the grim reality of border violence.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, expressed deep concern over the findings, stating, "The violence documented in 2023 along the Indo-Bangladesh border is a grave humanitarian crisis. The overwhelming number of incidents perpetrated by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform. The suffering of innocent civilians, including laborers, traders, farmers, and students, is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that must be addressed."
JMBF calls for immediate interventions to promote peace and stability along the border, ensuring the protection of human rights and the dignity of all individuals.
JMBF urges both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments to take swift and effective measures to address the root causes of this violence, enhance border security cooperation, and ensure justice for the victims.
JMBF also urges the Indian government to implement comprehensive policy reforms, increase oversight of security forces, and strengthen community engagement to foster a safer and more harmonious border region.
Thank you.
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Founder President
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Email: shahanur.islam@jmbf.org
Cell/WhatsApp/Signal: +33(0)7 8395 2315
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