Home Minister slams border killings

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday described the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the border as deeply unfortunate and a violation of human rights, while outlining a range of government measures on border management, anti-smuggling operations, prison administration and law enforcement.

Responding to a written question from ruling party MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni in Parliament, the minister said Bangladesh has consistently protested the use of lethal force by the BSF and continues to seek accountability through diplomatic and bilateral channels.

“The killing of innocent Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF is extremely regrettable and constitutes a clear violation of human rights,” he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed noted that Bangladesh has repeatedly raised the issue during border conferences between the chiefs of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF. While there is no formal arrangement under which India provides compensation to the families of victims, Bangladesh has consistently objected to the use of lethal weapons under claims of self-defence and has pressed for greater accountability.

He said sustained diplomatic engagement had yielded some positive commitments from the Indian side, including assurances on several occasions that non-lethal measures would be used in border management wherever possible.

According to the minister, cooperation between the BGB and BSF has also been strengthened to reduce border deaths and combat cross-border crime. Night-time joint patrols have been expanded in vulnerable areas, while local-level flag meetings are convened promptly whenever incidents occur along the frontier.

Bangladesh has long advocated a policy of zero deaths along the border and continues to urge India to refrain from using deadly force against unarmed civilians, he added.

The minister further informed Parliament that since 5 August 2024, a total of 2,369 individuals have reportedly been pushed into Bangladesh by the BSF. Of them, 2,175 were handed over to local police stations, 11 were returned to Indian authorities, and 183 were sent back across the border.

Replying to a separate question from MP Mohammad Abdul Malik, he said the BGB had foiled 36 attempted push-ins by the BSF following the West Bengal Assembly elections in India.

Addressing border security, Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has initiated plans to construct barbed-wire fencing along sections of the Myanmar border to prevent illegal crossings, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other transnational crimes. The construction of fencing at selected sensitive points along the Bangladesh-India border is also under consideration.

The minister highlighted the BGB’s anti-smuggling activities, stating that goods worth Tk 19.79 billion were seized between June 2025 and May 2026. During the period, the force conducted 375,519 drives and recovered 18.38 million Yaba tablets, 55,908 bottles of Phensidyl, 18,463 kilograms of cannabis, 106,709 bottles of foreign liquor, 15.577 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), 2.08 kilograms of cocaine and 62 bottles of LSD. A total of 2,189 suspects were arrested.

He also said the Department of Narcotics Control conducted 30,744 anti-drug operations between 17 February and 31 May, filing 9,251 cases and arresting 9,685 suspected traffickers. A nationwide anti-drug and anti-terrorism drive launched on 1 May has so far resulted in 10,865 arrests in 7,688 drug-related cases, along with the recovery of 125 illegal firearms and the arrest of 269 individuals in arms-related offences.

On public safety, the minister said Dhaka Metropolitan Police has intensified efforts to curb juvenile gang activities, including monitoring social media platforms and online groups used by gang members. He added that RAB-2 had conducted 119 anti-mugging operations in Mohammadpur since 5 August 2024, arresting 252 suspected offenders.

The minister also revealed that Bangladesh’s 75 prisons currently house 77,040 inmates against an authorised capacity of 45,136, indicating significant overcrowding. He noted that prisoners receive 50 per cent of the profits generated from goods produced inside correctional facilities.

Finally, Salahuddin Ahmed said the government is working with law enforcement agencies, regulators and intelligence organisations to block online gambling platforms and protect young people from their harmful effects. He added that a new Gambling Prevention Act 2026 is being prepared to replace the colonial-era Public Gambling Act of 1867 and address the growing challenge posed by online betting applications and websites.