Chapainawabganj, Jan 06 (V7N)- The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has handed over the body of Bangladeshi national Rabiul Islam, who died after being detained by the BSF on the Indian side of the Jahurpurtek border in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila, following a flag meeting between the two border forces.

The body was formally handed over at around 9:30 pm on Monday (January 5) through a flag meeting held between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF.

Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, commander of 53 BGB Battalion, confirmed the matter. He said the deceased, Rabiul Islam, was the son of Nizam Uddin of Satarshia village under Narayanpur union in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila.

According to the BGB commander, the BSF claimed that Rabiul Islam suffered from epilepsy and died after experiencing a sudden seizure while in custody.

However, Lt Col Mustafizur Rahman said that no post-mortem or autopsy report was provided by the Indian authorities at the time of handing over the body.
“As the autopsy report was not handed over, it is not possible to confirm the actual cause of death at this moment,” he said, adding that the body has been handed over to Bangladesh police.
“The real cause of death will be known after the post-mortem examination,” he added.

According to BGB and local sources, on the night of Saturday (January 3), Rabiul Islam and several others allegedly crossed the border into the Nurpur area of Murshidabad district, India, through the area adjacent to border pillar 19/7-S, despite the severe cold. Members of the BSF’s Patla Tola sub-camp under Raghunathganj police station chased the group, during which others managed to escape but Rabiul was detained.

He was reportedly taken to a BSF camp on Sunday (January 4), where his physical condition deteriorated. The BSF later declared him dead while undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, local residents and public representatives have alleged that Rabiul Islam died due to torture after being detained by the BSF, a claim that remains unverified pending the post-mortem report.

END/SMA/AJ