Bangladeshi youth ‘tortured by BSF’ near Feni border

A youth from Feni’s Parshuram upazila was reportedly detained and tortured by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the border on Wednesday.

The victim, Mohammad Yasin, 20, sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment under police custody at a hospital in India’s Tripura, said Lt. Col. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, commander of the BGB’s Feni Battalion.

“Yasin received initial treatment in Bilonia and was later taken to Tripura’s Shantirhat Hospital for advanced care. Indian police have detained him on charges of trespassing. The police are taking action against him according to the laws of their country,” he said.

Nurul Islam, assistant commander of BGB 4 Battalion, said that they learned about the matter through various sources. After verifying the facts, they will provide further information and establish contact with the Indian BSF.

Yasin, a battery-run auto-rickshaw driver and son of Mizan Mia from Baurkhuma village in the upazila, was allegedly detained while approaching the border around 5:30 am on Wednesday.

Locals said BSF personnel severely beat him, causing serious head injuries, before handing him over to Bilonia police.

Yasin’s mother, Rahela Akter, accused the BSF of torturing her son and appealed to Bangladesh authorities, including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), to bring him back.