Azizur Returns Dead from Indian Custody

Azizur Rahman, a 46-year-old day labourer from Shahabad village in Thakurgaon’s Ranisankail Upazila, tragically returned to Bangladesh on Friday—not as a survivor, but as a corpse—after being detained and tortured in India for nearly 11 months. He had been apprehended by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel while cutting grass near the Bangladesh-India frontier and subsequently suffered severe injuries due to beatings and mistreatment.

Azizur was the son of Mortus Ali and is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a mentally challenged son. His death has sparked grief and demands for justice, highlighting ongoing concerns over human rights at the border.

Repatriation and Formal Handover

On Friday afternoon, the Indian police handed over Azizur’s body at the Banglabandha border in Panchagarh, in the presence of Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) officials and the local immigration police. Officers from the Tentulia Model Police Station, including Officer-in-Charge Rashedul Islam, BGB Company Commander Subedar Yunus, representatives from the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, and family members were present during the handover. Following formalities, the body was transferred to his brother-in-law Dulal Hossain and nephew Sohel Rana.

Incident Timeline

According to family members, Azizur was unarmed and committed no offence. His wife, Tachkara Begum, asserts that he was violently beaten at the so-called “zero point” border area, resulting in broken legs and serious injuries. He was later admitted to a hospital, then imprisoned in Siliguri. After falling critically ill, he was again hospitalised, where he ultimately passed away. Tachkara Begum has described her husband’s death as effectively a “murder”.

Local Reactions

Local authorities and family describe the family as impoverished, with no resources beyond their homestead. Abul Kashem, Chairman of Dharmagar Union Parishad, stated: “Azizur’s family is extremely poor. During his detention, he was mistreated by BSF personnel. After hospital treatment, he was transferred to an Indian jail, where he fell ill and died.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tanzir Ahmed, commanding officer of Thakurgaon 50 BGB Battalion, confirmed that the repatriation involved coordination between the Bangladesh High Commission in India, the BSF, and Indian police, with BGB and immigration officials present. Following the handover, the body was transported by ambulance to Shahabad for burial, scheduled for Saturday.

The case has reignited discussions over border human rights and the treatment of civilians in disputed frontier areas, emphasising the urgent need for bilateral safeguards to prevent further tragedies.