3 BD nationals ‘beaten to death’ near Habiganj border

The deceased were identified as Pandit Mia, 30, son of Kana Mia; Sajal Mia, 50, son of Kuddus Mia; and Jewel Mia, 32, son of Asrab Ullah, all residents of Chunarughat upazila in Habiganj district.

Lt Col Tanjinul Rahman, commanding officer of BGB-55, said the incident occurred at Karengichhara in Tripura state, about 4–5 kilometres inside Indian from the zero point of the border.

The exact time of the incident, however, could not be confirmed.

According to BGB sources, the three Bangladeshis had allegedly crossed into India two to three days ago when local Indian residents attacked them, suspecting them to be cattle lifters. The attackers allegedly beat and stabbed the men indiscriminately, leaving them dead on the spot.

The bodies were later kept at Sampahar Police Station.

Quoting the son of Pandit Mia, BGB officials said the victims had gone to the hilly area to collect betel leaves on Tuesday morning and had been missing since then, reports UNB. 

“On Wednesday, we came to know that the bodies of all three were in India,” said Zahir Mia, son of Pandit.

BGB personnel have contacted the Border Security Force (BSF) regarding the incident, said Lieutenant Colonel Tanjinul.

“Efforts are ongoing to verify the authenticity of the incident and to gather detailed information. All necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and harmony in the border area and to prevent the recurrence of such unwanted incidents in the future,” he added.