INDIA: Three Indian fishermen abducted from India at the Indo-Bangladesh border by Bangladesh Rifles and now reported missing

Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from MASUM, a human rights organisation in West Bengal regarding the abduction of three fishermen from Khas Mahal Damush by the officers from Bangladesh Rifles on 6 September 2006. Khas Mahal Damush is in Murshidabad District, West Bengal, India. The whereabouts of these persons are now unknown and the relatives of the abductees believe that they are currently held by the Bangladesh authorities.

Facts of the case:

Mr. Joshim Mondal, Mr. Chhapatulla Mondal and Mr. Mohidul Mondal are three fishermen from Tiktikipara village within the jurisdiction of Jalangi police station of Murshidabad district, West Bengal. On 5 September 2006 at about 5.50pm they went to the Border Security Force (BSF) office at Tiktikipara outpost number 1 and surrendered their identity card and election identity cards. This is a standard requirement for fishermen in the area to be allowed to fish in the Padma river along the Indo-Bangladesh Border. They were given permission to fish at Khas Mahal Damush.

After obtaining permission the three went to Khas Mahal Damush in a small boat with their fishing equipments. Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul are members of Asha Matshyajibi Samabay Samiti – a fishermen co-operative society in Murshidabad district.

According to a rule enforced by the BSF for security reasons sailing of boats is not allowed at night in the river. Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul reached Khas Mahal Damush before nightfall and fixed their net. The next day morning during the low tide they finished their work and were getting ready to return home. At this time officers from Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) approached them in a motorboat. It is alleged that officers from the BDR soon took Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul into custody and took them into Bangladesh in their vehicle.

Mr. Amir Sk, from Tiktikipara village who was present in a nearby land while Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul were arrested witnessed that Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul were slapped at their face by the officers from the BDR, and asked to get into the boat in which the officers from the BDR came. Amir also says that the small boat in which Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul were preparing to leave the place was also towed away by the BDR. Since then Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul are reported missing.

Khas Mahal Damush is within the Indian territory. When the parents of the three along with the villagers went to Jalangi to lodge a complaint regarding the incident to the Officer-in-Charge of Jalangi police station on the same day at about 4.30pm, the duty officer of the said police station refused to record their complaint. A newspaper reporter Mr. Atul Nag of Sangbad Pratidin, a Bengali daily, who also accompanied the group to the police station, was chased away by the police officers.

The police officers stationed at Jalangi police station is known for their corrupt practices and torturous methods. The AHRC has received several cases reported from Jalangi in which officers from Jalangi police station were allegedly involved. For further information please see UA-59-2005, UA-73-2005, UA-116-2005, UA-130-2005, UA-161-2005, UA-163-2005, UA-196-2005, UA-232-2005 and UA-283-2006.

In ordinary cases if the BDR arrest a foreigner, the person must be surrendered to the nearest police station. In such a case it is expected that Joshim, Chhapatulla and Mohidul must have been produced at Charghat police station of Rajsahi district in Bangladesh. In the mean while BSF officers returned the identification card of Chhapattulla to his family.

The family alleges that the police officers in Jalangi police station is refusing to help the family to ensure safe return of the abductees. In this context the AHRC also wishes to bring to your notice that unless a formal complaint is made at the local police station the return of the three victims will be practically impossible. These records regarding the abductees are vital for the government of India to claim return of its citizens from the Bangladesh government.

The AHRC has contacted the BDR officials in Bangladesh expressing concern about this case. However a senior officer of the BDR denied any knowledge regarding this case.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send a letter to the relevant authorities mentioned below urging for an immediate intervention in this case so that the abductees are safely returned home from Bangladesh.

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