BSF detains 3 Bangladeshis from border area

Three Bangladeshi youths were detained by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) while fishing near the Haripur border area in Sharifpur Union of Kulaura upazila, Moulvibazar. The incident occurred on Thursday night, July 17.

The detained individuals are Sohag Mia (23), son of Anu Mia from Sanjarpur village; Masuk Rahman Monturi (20), son of Jalal Mia from Haripur village; and Sipar Ahmed (22), son of Taiyob Ali Daga Mia.

According to local sources, the three youths were fishing on the Bangladeshi side of the border in Haripur when BSF members, suspecting them to be smugglers, crossed the border and detained them.

Masuk’s brother, Moynul Mia, said, “Around 15–20 BSF members suddenly arrived at night and took away my brother along with two others. There was no electricity in the area at the time. Later, we informed the local BGB. They said they are looking into it.”

It has been reported that the detained youths were later handed over to the Irani Police Station in India by the BSF.

Harun Mia, president of Sharifpur Union BNP and a former Union Parishad member, said, “We learned about the incident from locals. They were just out fishing when BSF picked them up. The BGB has been notified.”

Attempts to contact Lt. Col. ASM Zakaria, Commander of 46 BGB (Srimangal), for comments were unsuccessful as he did not respond to multiple phone calls.