A Bangladeshi day labourer who was detained by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) while cutting grass near the frontier has been repatriated to Bangladesh as a corpse, nearly 11 months after his arrest, in an incident that has triggered grief and renewed scrutiny of border conduct.
Azizur Rahman (46), son of Murtuz Ali, was a resident of Shahabanad village under Dharmagarh Union in Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon district. He left behind a deeply vulnerable family, including his wife, two daughters, and a mentally challenged son, who depended entirely on his daily labour for survival.
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Detention and alleged assault
According to family members and border sources, Azizur was detained on 13 May 2025 near boundary pillar 373/1-S in the Shahabanad border area while cutting grass close to the so-called zero line. He was reportedly taken into custody by personnel of the BSF’s 184 Ambari camp.
His wife, Taskara Begum, has alleged that her husband was subjected to severe physical assault following his detention. She claims he had done nothing wrong and was taken from within Bangladeshi territory. According to her account, he sustained a broken leg and multiple injuries during the incident. The family has demanded justice, describing his death as a “killing in custody”.
After initial medical treatment in India, Azizur was transferred to Siliguri District Jail. His health deteriorated significantly while in detention. On 22 March 2026, he was moved to Siliguri Sadar Hospital in a critical condition, where he died the same day at approximately 5 pm.
Key timeline of events
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2025 | Detained by BSF while cutting grass | Shahabanad border, Thakurgaon |
| Mid–Late 2025 | Alleged assault and hospital treatment | India (border facilities) |
| 2025–2026 | Detention in Siliguri District Jail | West Bengal, India |
| 22 March 2026 | Hospital transfer and death | Siliguri Sadar Hospital |
| 4 April 2026 | Body handed over to Bangladesh | Banglabandha border |
Repatriation process
After months of diplomatic and administrative coordination between the two countries, Azizur’s body was formally handed over on Friday afternoon at the Banglabandha border in Panchagarh. The handover took place in the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Indian BSF, immigration police from both sides, and representatives of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.
Among those present were the officer-in-charge of Tetulia Model Police Station and senior officials from BGB’s Banglabandha sector. Following formal procedures, the body was received by Azizur’s relatives, including his son-in-law Dulal Hossain and nephew Sohel Rana.
Final journey home
Family members confirmed that the body was transported to Shahabanad village by ambulance shortly after the handover. Funeral arrangements are scheduled to take place on Saturday in his ancestral village, where relatives, neighbours, and local residents are expected to attend his burial.
Local response and official comments
Dharmagarh Union Parishad Chairman Md Abul Kashem described the family as extremely impoverished, stating that they owned no assets beyond their homestead. He noted that Azizur had been injured during his detention and later fell seriously ill while in custody.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanzir Ahmed, Commanding Officer of the 50 Border Guard Bangladesh Battalion, confirmed that the repatriation was completed following coordination among BSF personnel, Indian police authorities, and Bangladeshi diplomatic missions.
The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of people living in border regions, where routine livelihood activities can expose civilians to cross-border risks. It has also intensified calls for accountability, humane treatment of detainees, and stronger bilateral mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.