NCP Leader Nahid Islam Condemns Home Minister's Remarks on Border Killings

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has strongly criticized Home Minister Salah Uddin Ahmed's recent comments on killings by Indian border forces, describing the remarks as "highly objectionable" and "insulting."

In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, Nahid said it was "embarrassing for the nation" to hear such comments from a senior government official.

"Three days have passed, yet Salah Uddin Ahmed has not withdrawn his objectionable remarks," Nahid said. "Nor has the government publicly distanced itself from or condemned the statement. Therefore, we are compelled to assume that this represents the government's official position on border killings."

Controversial Remarks

Nahid cited the home minister's recent comments regarding incidents along the Bangladesh-India border.

According to Nahid, the minister had said that incidents should only be described as "border killings" if foreign security forces cross into Bangladeshi territory or the zero line and kill Bangladeshi citizens.

The minister reportedly argued that if individuals are involved in criminal activities within another country's territory or illegally cross the border, the way foreign border forces deal with them falls under that country's domestic laws and should not necessarily be classified as border killings.

Alleged Conflict with International Law

Nahid rejected that interpretation, arguing that it contradicts international legal principles.

He referred to Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which recognizes the right to life as an inherent human right and obliges states to protect that right through law.

He also cited the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, which state that lethal force should only be used when strictly unavoidable to protect life.

"There is no provision allowing the use of deadly force to prevent smuggling, illegal border crossings, or other non-lethal offenses," Nahid said.

Comparison with Previous Government

The NCP leader also drew comparisons with remarks made by former Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He argued that the previous government's approach toward India had been widely criticized and said a similar position from any government formed after the July Revolution would be "unacceptable and deeply concerning."

Demand for Retraction

Nahid called on the home minister to immediately withdraw his remarks.

The statement adds to ongoing political debate in Bangladesh regarding border security, cross-border shootings, and the government's approach to diplomatic relations with India.

Border killings have remained a sensitive issue in Bangladesh for years, with human rights organizations and political parties frequently raising concerns over the use of lethal force by Indian border security personnel against Bangladeshi nationals near the frontier.