Girl Killed by Indian BSF -Govt finally protests
Diplomatic sources said the government instead of making an immediate protest, took 10 days to voice its concern in a "soft" manner and mysteriously kept the media in the dark about the envoy being summoned
The government has finally lodged protest with India 10 days after Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a teenage girl on Phulbari border in Kurigram district. Felani was killed on January 7 when she was returning home from India through Anantapur border of the district.
Summoned, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Rajeet Mitter went to the foreign ministry Sunday afternoon when acting Foreign Secretary Mostafa Kamal handed him a protest note on the brutal killing of the innocent.
The ministry yesterday issued a press release which says the high commissioner promised that he would convey Bangladesh's concern to the Indian government. The envoy also pledged that steps would be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents on the Bangladesh-India border.
Diplomatic sources said the government instead of making an immediate protest, took 10 days to voice its concern in a "soft" manner and mysteriously kept the media in the dark about the envoy being summoned.
Foreign ministry officials said the media used to be informed whenever any envoy was summoned to the ministry but this time was an exception. And the press release was also issued a day after the meeting with the Indian diplomat.
Moreover, talks with the diplomat also took place in the absence of the foreign minister and the foreign secretary, now on a foreign trip.
A former Bangladesh diplomat preferring anonymity told The Daily Star that the delay in reacting to the brutal murder is unexpected.
It is surprising that the Indian diplomat was called when both the foreign minister and the foreign secretary are abroad, he added. "Definitely the protest note was prepared in consultation with them, but they were hesitant to issue the summons in their presence."
PETITION FILED
A writ petition was filed yesterday with the High Court, seeking its directive on the government to provide compensation to the family members of Felani.
Tajul Islam, secretary general of National Forum for Protection of Human Rights, filed the petition as a public interest litigation. The petitioner sought a rule upon the government to explain why it should not be ordered to take steps to stop killings by BSF and to form a committee to probe the killing of Felani.
An HC bench of Justice Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice Jahangir Hossain will hear the petition on January 23, said Tajul.
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