India’s Border Security Force handed over the body of 19-year-old Bangladeshi youth Tara Mia 36 hours after he was shot dead near the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar. On Monday afternoon, Indian police transferred the body to Kulaura police following a BSF-Border Guard Bangladesh flag meeting at the Chatlapur customs station and immigration checkpoint. After legal procedures, the body was handed to his family, with his elder brother Raju Mia receiving it at about 5pm.

Tara Mia was the son of Abdul Malek of Muraichhara Basti in Karmadha union. BGB said he entered India’s Maguruli area through the Shikaria border in Alinagar early Sunday with Renu Mia, Sumon Mia and Rais Ali to bring back contraband goods including cigarettes and Nasir bidis. BGB said tension arose after a BSF patrol tried to stop them, after which BSF members opened fire and Tara Mia died at the scene. The others fled back to Bangladesh and went into hiding.

Tara Mia’s mother, Ajirunnesa, denied that her son was involved in smuggling. Lieutenant Colonel Sarkar Asif Mahmud, commander of BGB’s 46 Battalion, said BGB strongly protested to BSF officials at the flag meeting. He said awareness activities would continue and border patrols would be increased.