Assam fisherman found in Bangladesh, BGB alleges drug, arms smuggling

A 35-year-old fisherman from Assam's Sribhumi district, Balai Namasudra, was discovered in Bangladesh on Thursday night after going missing earlier that day near the India-Bangladesh border. According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the man was accused of involvement in drug and arms smuggling. His wife, Mamata Namasudra, confirmed that Balai had gone fishing near the border pillar on Thursday morning but did not return as usual. She said they began searching for him in the afternoon and filed a missing persons report at the Sribhumi Sadar police station in the evening. Balai, a resident of Gobindapur village, lives outside the border fencing. His wife explained that he typically returned within a few hours from his daily fishing trips. However, on this occasion, he failed to return, prompting the family to take action. Later that day, someone from Bangladesh contacted Mamata requesting photocopies of Balai’s voter ID, Aadhaar card, and possibly his passport. This individual claimed that Balai had been apprehended for illegal entry into Bangladesh and would be repatriated once necessary documentation was completed. Despite these claims, Balai remained untraceable for several hours. Mamata attempted to contact the number provided but received no response. She then approached the Latu police outpost near their village, though officials directed her to the Sribhumi Sadar police station due to the nature of the case involving an international border. On Saturday, Mamata learned more about the allegations against her husband after viewing a social media post by the BGB showing the arrest of an Indian man with drugs and a firearm. She recognized the man in the video as her husband. In the post, the BGB stated that the Indian man was caught in the Kumarshail border area of Barlekha upazila in Moulvibazar on August 27. During a special operation, BGB personnel reportedly recovered a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of .22-bore ammunition, and 500 Yaba tablets from him. The BGB claimed that a group of smugglers from the Indian side entered Bangladesh and fired at security forces upon being confronted. In self-defense, BGB members returned fire, leading the smugglers to attempt escape. They pursued the fleeing individuals and managed to arrest one Indian smuggler. The BGB further alleged that the arrested man is part of a smuggling network operating along the border and that the seized firearms and drugs originated from India for distribution in Bangladesh. The BGB shared a video featuring Balai’s personal documents, identifying him as an Indian smuggler. These allegations remain unverified by independent sources. The additional superintendent of police (crime), Sribhumi, Trinayan Bhuyan, stated that after receiving the missing persons report, local police initiated an investigation. Due to the location being outside the border fencing, they coordinated with the Border Security Force (BSF). Several discussions are ongoing, and senior officials are involved in the case. Bhuyan noted that senior police officials have already visited Balai’s home. The matter is expected to be addressed by relevant authorities following the emergence of the details from Bangladesh.