Man shot dead near Indo-Bangla border

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 20: Hundreds of angry villagers gathered here today to protest against the alleged high-handedness of the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans. Earlier in the day, a BSF jawan allegedly shot dead a 35-year-old man Jabbar Sheikh at Moslempur village, which is located very close to the Indo-Bangladesh border, said an official of the English Bazaar police station. On the basis of the statement provided by Jabbar’s father, Mohd Samiruddin, who is the only eye-witness of the incident, police informed that the BSF jawans fired three rounds of bullet into Jabbar’s body from a point blank range today. It was learnt that Jabbar had gone to help his father in the fields, which lay close to the Indo-Bangla border fence. “In an attempt to rescue my son Jabbar, I rushed towards him. But, the BSF jawan aimed to shoot at me and I had no option but to jump into a nearby ditch for safety. The BSF jawan then fled from the spot after shooting my son,” said Samiruddin to police officials and reporters. Police reportedly received two complaints pertaining to Jabbar’s case today. One complaint was received from local villagers against the BSF jawan, who allegedly shot dead Jabbar and the other complaint was lodged by the BSF against the villagers. The villagers’ demonstration flared up to such an extent that the sub-divisional officer of Malda (sadar); the block development officer of English Bazaar and senior police officials from English Bazaar police station had to immediately rush to the spot to keep things under control. The villagers demanded that the BSF jawan to be punished and Jabbar’s family to be compensated for the loss. However, it was after much deliberation that the officials managed to pacify the villagers and recover the body from their possession. The SDO, Mr PK Mandal, told reporters: “We will take stern action against the BSF jawan if found guilty after a thorough investigation. This “inhuman” act will be discussed in our meeting with BSF officials on 27 July.” After apprising himself with every aspect related to Jabbar’s death, the SDO commented: “ Jabbar has left behind his four daughters and son. His 14-year-old daughter, Esmina, is suffering from a serious heart ailment. Who will take care of them now? It was learnt that Jabbar was in Malda town today earlier in the day to meet Mr Samar Roy and Mr KN Choudhury, the former and present English Bazaar MLAs respectively. He met officials of the district administration to seek financial assistance for his daughter, Esmina’s treatment. As per the available information, Rs 1 lakh was required for Esmina’s treatment. Villagers alleged that the shoot-out incident was the outcome of an altercation between Jabbar and the BSF jawan. The BSF jawan accused Jabbar of being a Bangladeshi national and prevented him from entering the village while he was on his way home from Malda town today. But, Jabbar just walked past the BSF jawan ignoring his instructions. It was when Jabbar was heading towards the field later to join his father that the BSF jawan intercepted him and shot him dead,” villagers alleged.