Probe into BSF firing

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 21: The Malda district administration today forwarded a detailed investigation report received from the SDO about yesterday’s act of a BSF jawan who had allegedly shot dead a Moslempur resident near the Indo-Bangladesh border here, to the home secretary, Mr PR Roy. The secretary of the chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, it was learnt, has also sought an administrative report on the issue, the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said. After apprising himself of details in the investigation report and interacting with the BSF officials today, the SDO, MR PK Mondal, vehemently criticised the latter for their high-handedness. The SDO pointed out the accused BSF jawan, Biswaprakash (24), failed to provide explicit information regarding why he shot dead Jabbar Sheikh, a resident of Moslempur village, during interrogation. It may be recalled that Jabbar Sheikh, a resident of Moslemur village in English Bazaar, which lies close to the Indo-Bangladesh border, was on his way to the fields to lend a helping hand to his father yesterday when he was allegedly intercepted by BSF jawan, Biswaprakash. The latter accused him of being a Bangladeshi national and blocked his path. An altercation occured between the two resulting in Jabbar being shot down by the BSF jawan. Reportedly, two cases were lodged with the police in connection with Jabbar’s case. One case was filed by the local villagers against the high-handedness of the BSF. The other case was lodged by the BSF against the villagers. Jabbar’s family and friends, who are yet to overcome the shock over Jabbar’s death, said that Jabbar was innocent and are adamant to seek compensation for his death. The Malda SP, however, reported that no case can be initiated on the basis of the case lodged by the BSF after Jabbar’s death.