Kolkata: In sombre circumstances, two sisters, both Indian citizens, were able to catch one final glimpse of their deceased father, who lived in Bangladesh, thanks to the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The sad affair underscored the ongoing link between people living on both sides of the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) and the humanitarian disposition of both countries’ border guards.
The event took place under the jurisdiction of the Alipur Border Outpost in West Bengal’s Malda district, which is manned by 12 Bn BSF forces.
The company commander of the BOP was contacted by the BGB and informed about the death of one Mohtar Ali at Chamusa village in the Chapainawabganj district of Bangladesh.
The BGB said Ali had passed away of natural causes, and his daughters Aklima Bibi and Zulekha Bibi, who live in the Moslempur and North Dinajpur villages in India, had expressed their desire to pay their respects to him and bid a final farewell.
“The company commander of the Alipur BOP wasted no time thereafter and made arrangements for the two women to reach the zero-line. The BGB was asked to bring the body to a certain point on the zero line, and a flag meeting was arranged between the two forces. The sisters then approached the body and paid their last respects, even as BSF and BGB personnel stood guard. It was an emotional moment,” the BSF official from the South Bengal Frontier said.
The two women’s hearts overflowed with gratitude towards the BSF for granting them the precious opportunity to offer their last respects to their departed father.
“We were in contact with relatives in Bangladesh and received the news of his death. But it would not have been possible for us to go there at such short notice. Had the BSF not permitted us, we would not have been able to see our father for the last time, even if the BGB had brought him to the border. We shall remain grateful to the BSF forever,” Aklima said.
Nilotpal Kumar Pandey, DIG and PRO, South Bengal Frontier, BSF, highlighted the force’s commitment to social and human values. While BSF jawans remain deployed along the border 24/7 amidst harsh conditions to ensure the country’s security, they always come forward to help the border population whenever the need arises.
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–IANS
