A Bangladeshi hijra, aged 45, was allegedly tortured by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Banglabandha border in Panchagarh`s Tentulia upazila early this morning.
The victim, identified as Kiron alias Raju from Narayanganj Sadar upazila, is currently receiving treatment at Panchagarh Sadar Hospital, according to BGB officials.
Kiron recounted that around 1:00am on Monday, he and eleven other hijras arrived at the Banglabandha border area in a microbus intending to enter India with the assistance of a local broker, each paying Tk 10,000 to the broker.
Following the broker`s instructions, ten of them successfully crossed into India, but Kiron was apprehended by BSF personnel.
Subsequently, Kiron alleged that five BSF members beat him with sticks and rifle butts for several hours before abandoning him near the Bangladesh territory around 5:00am.
BGB personnel rescued Kiron and admitted him to Tentulia Upazila Health Complex, from where he was later transferred to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital for further medical attention.
Lt. Col. Ziaul Haque, Commanding Officer of the 18 BGB Battalion, confirmed that BGB has communicated with BSF, requesting a flag meeting to address the incident, but they have yet to receive a response. He also mentioned that BGB plans to file a case against Kiron at Tentulia Police Station for trespassing.
