Inhuman torture & threat by BSF
Kirity Roy
The Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House
Copernicus Marg
New Delhi - 1
Respected Sir,
I want to bring into your notice on an incident of physical torture and subsequent threats by Border Security Force personnel at 24 Parganas (North) district. The first incident of the sequel of physical torture and intimidation took place on 11 February2012, just before the dates of their human rights sensitization by your Commission and ironically threatening and bullying continued till date.
According to our fact finding, on 11.02.2012 at about 7.10 am, one Abdul Karim Molla aged about 23 years of age, son of Mr. Yunus Molla, of village- Dahakanda, Gram Panchayet- Bithari Hakimpur, Post Office- Hakimpur, Police Station- Swarupnagar under district 24 Parganas (North) was intending to cross the international border at the vicinity of the Bithari Border Out Post, to smuggle out two pieces of leather. Abdul Karim made a deal with one Mr. Brijesh, a staff driver of ‘G’ Branch of ‘E’ Company of 152 Battalion of BSF for this purpose with a financial transaction as a bribe. While the person was set to smuggle out the leather pieces, Mr. Akbar Khan, the then Company Commander of the said company of BSF reached at the mentioned place. His visit was not scheduled. While finding his officer, Brijesh started bashing the victim; Abdul Karim Molla with a bamboo stick. The inhumane physical assault was going on at the presence of Mr. Akbar Khan. The physical torture was included with filthiest of verbal abuses. Abdul Karim sustained cut and bruises all over his body and became motionless due to the severe physical torture.
The intimidation continued and on 13.02.2012 at about 11.30 pm, a posse of BSF personnel attached with the said Company, forcibly entered at his house in search of Abdul Karim, while the aged parents of the victim were at the residence. The personnel threaten the family with dire consequences while asking about the whereabouts of Abdul Karim. Though, he was at the home but succeed to hide. Next day; 14.02.2012, the panic stricken father of Abdul Karim; Mr. Yunus Molla made a written complaint on the incidents to Swarupnagar Police Station and informed the same to us. Swarupnagar police station registered the complaint as General Dairy Entry no. 647/12 dated 14.02.2012. The complaint made the said BSF personnel furious and berserk. They continuously tried for withdrawal of the complaint and even made subsequent threats to the family in connivance of local panchayet.
On 22.02.2012 at about 8.10 pm, while Mr. Yunus Molla; father of the victim was returning from his shop to his home, he was intercepted by 15-20 BSF personnel in front of Majid Master’s house at the said village. BSF personnel were led by one officer, whom Yunus and other present at the place of incident recognized and identified as the new incumbent Company Commander of the ‘E’ Company of 152 Battalion. The said Officer caught holds Yunus with his neck and started stifling him. He warned Yunus and asked him to withdraw the complaint by 9.00 am of 23.02.12 (today). The officer even said that otherwise he will make Yunus life a hell.
The poor Yunus was so terrified and shocked that he left his home and now hiding at other places.
I hope you will appreciate the gravity of the situation and ensure the safety and security of the family. In this regard. I demand for an investigation over the incident by your Commission.--
Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
40A, Barabagan Lane (4th Floor)
Balaji Place
Shibtala
Srirampur
Hooghly
PIN- 712203
Tele-Fax - +91-33-26220843
Phone- +91-33-26220844 / 0845
e. mail : kiri...@gmail.com
Web: www.masum.org.in