294 Bangladeshis killed by BSF in 10 yrs: Home boss

At least four Bangladeshis were killed in last four days by the members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on the Putkhali border in Benapole of Jessore and Chapainawabganj.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday said in parliament that Indian Border BSF had killed a total of 294 Bangladeshi nationals in last 10 years since 2009,
Our Jashore correspondent reports that a Bangladeshi national was shot and wounded by the members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Putkhali border in Benapole of Jessore early Thursday.
The victim was identified as Israfil Hossain (30), son of Nur Islam of Chotoa Chra village.
Our Chapainawabganj correspondent adds that two people have been killed by BSF of India on the Wahedpur border under Shibganj Upazila of Chapainawabganj on Tuesday.
The BSF members shot dead a Bangladeshi national near Kironganj border of Chapainawabganj on Monday. The deceased is 18-year-old Dulal Uddin of Kironganj village under Shibganj Upazila.
According to statistics placed by the minister, at least 66 Bangladeshi nationals were killed on the Bangladesh-India border in 2009 while 55 in 2010, 24 each in 2011 and 2012, 18 in 2013, 24 in 2014, 38 in 2015, 25 in 2016, 17 in 2017 and three in 2018.
As per the data, the highest number of 66 Bangladeshis was killed in 2009 while the lowest three in 2018 in border areas.
The Home Minister told the House that the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) is making all-out efforts to stop the border killings by BSF.
"The government is also taking necessary measures at diplomatic level in this regard."
"BSF also agreed to bring down the border killing to zero level. The killing of Bangladeshis by BSF has come down largely compared to the last year," Kamal also added.
Responding to another question by treasury bench MP Ashim Kumar Ukil (Netrokona-3), the minister said BGB has taken various steps for confidence building among people living in border areas and the border guards of the two countries.
"It's helping ease tension along the border."
Besides, he said BGB has identified 328 kilometers as "sensitive areas" for setting up surveillance system in the border areas. "
Besides, the minister also informed the House that the BGB had identified 328 kilometers as "sensitive areas" for setting up the surveillance system in the border areas.
"Modern cameras and surveillance system will be set up in those sensitive areas gradually,"
In reply to another query by BNP MP Harunur Rashid, the minister said 119,187 cases were filed against 1, 61, 323 drug peddlers.