14 Years Since the Killing of Felani

 14 Years Since the Killing of Felani

14th Anniversary of the Murder of the Notorious Teenage Girl Felani

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the tragic killing of Felani, a teenage girl who was ruthlessly shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Anantapur border in the Fulbari upazila of Kurigram on this day in 2011. Her lifeless body hung from the barbed wire for over four and a half hours.

Felani’s father, Nurul Islam, a poor man from the Colony Tary village of Ramkhana union in the Nageshwari upazila, had migrated to India for work, like many others, and settled in the Bongai Gao area. Felani’s marriage had been arranged in Bangladesh, and she, along with her father, had planned to cross the border to return home. On January 7th, at 6 AM, Nurul Islam crossed the barbed wire by climbing a ladder at the Anantapur border. Felani tried to follow but was shot by the BSF.

After being shot, Felani writhed in pain for nearly half an hour before dying in the same spot, hanging from the barbed wire. Her lifeless body remained suspended for over four and a half hours, from around 6:45 AM until 11:15 AM. The horrific incident drew global outrage, leading to the start of the trial of the BSF members involved in Felani's death on August 13, 2013, at the General Security Forces Court in Cooch Behar, India.

The image of Felani’s body hanging from the barbed wire caused an international outcry, spreading awareness about the brutal actions of the Indian Border Security Forces. Felani became a symbol of protest, and the world witnessed the barbarity of the BSF. Following the widespread media coverage, India promised to hold the responsible BSF personnel accountable. However, the subsequent trial was widely regarded as a mockery of justice.

After the murder of Felani, human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch described the BSF as a "murderous force." The incident further tarnished the image of the BSF, which had previously been accused of numerous such atrocities, particularly against women and children. Despite the rising number of border killings under the previous government of the Awami League, the Sheikh Hasina-led administration remained silent, adhering to a submissive foreign policy. After the change in government on August 5, there has been some criticism of India regarding the border killings, yet these violent incidents continue. Several more deaths at the hands of the BSF have occurred since August 5.

On this somber occasion, various political parties, social organizations, and human rights groups across the country have organized events to remember Felani and demand justice for border killings.