Bangladesh calls for a thorough investigation into the violent incident involving its citizens in India.
The Bangladeshi government has formally condemned the lynching of three of its citizens in Tripura, India, labeling the incident a “heinous act” and a “grave violation of human rights and the rule of law.” This condemnation comes in response to claims by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which described the three men as smugglers who had allegedly killed a local villager in Tripura’s Bidyabil area.
The tragic event unfolded on Wednesday, when three men from Habiganj—identified as Pandit Mia, Sajal Mia, and Juel Mia—were reportedly attacked and killed by Indian residents in Khowai district, close to the border. According to reports from Dhaka Tribune, the three individuals had crossed into Indian territory from the Sreemangal border area just two to three days prior to the attack.
Indian residents suspected the men of being cattle thieves, which led to a confrontation near Bidyabil village. The police indicated that this altercation resulted in a violent clash. In the aftermath, authorities stated that the bodies of the three men were sent for postmortem examinations, and an investigation into the incident has been initiated. The bodies were subsequently handed over to Bangladeshi officials on Thursday evening, with representatives from both Border Guard Bangladesh and India’s Border Security Force present during the transfer.
In its official statement, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern regarding the lynching, urging New Delhi to conduct an “immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident.” The ministry emphasized the necessity for India to take proactive measures to prevent the recurrence of such inhumane acts. It further asserted that all individuals are entitled to full protection of their human rights, regardless of their location relative to the border.
In a social media post, the Bangladeshi government reiterated its strong condemnation of the violent mob attack, demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. The post highlighted the importance of justice and human rights, reiterating that such acts of violence are unacceptable.
In response, New Delhi stated that the three men, referred to as “miscreants” by the Indian authorities, had crossed the international border with the intent to steal cattle from Bidyabil village. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs claimed that the men attacked local villagers with iron dahs and knives, resulting in the death of one villager. They reported that two of the men were found dead at the scene, while the third succumbed to his injuries in a hospital the following day.
This incident has underscored the ongoing tensions related to cross-border crime and smuggling between Bangladesh and India. The Indian government has called for Bangladesh to undertake necessary measures to uphold the sanctity of the international boundary and support the construction of fencing in areas where it is deemed necessary to prevent such occurrences.
