The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday recommended the Centre pay ₹5 lakh as compensation to the family members of deceased Bangladeshi girl Felani Khatun.
Khatun, who was an illegal immigrant to India, was shot dead by the BSF in January 2011, at the Anantapur border in North Bengal, while she was crossing over the barbed-wire fence on her way back home.
Pictures of the dead body hanging from the barbed wire triggered a huge uproar in Bangladesh, fuelling the anti-India sentiments.
While a BSF court exonerated the accused constable, the NHRC held in favour of the victim’s family.
“There could be no justification for shooting an unarmed girl. Therefore, we recommend to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs to pay a sum of ₹5 lakh as monetary relief to the next of kin of the deceased girl,” it stated.
The NHRC has also asked for a compliance report (from the ministry) within six months.
According to Abraham Lincoln, Council who appeared on behalf of Bangladesh government at the BSF court, monetary compensation cannot be considered as a solace.
“We want justice for Felani’s family and the accused constable should be brought to book,” he said on his Facebook page.
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