Bangladeshis abduct Indian tea grower after BSF arrests intruder

Bangladeshi nationals abducted an Indian small tea grower from near the border in Jalpaiguri on Saturday, apparently in retaliation for the BSF’s arrest of a Bangladeshi intruder two days earlier. At least 15 Bangladeshi nationals crossed into Indian territory in the Tasarpara area under Kukurjan gram panchayat in Rajganj block and dragged Dipankar Gope into Bangladesh while he was tending his tea garden, located within 150 yards of the border fence and under the jurisdiction of the BSF’s Chaulhati outpost. Gope was working alone when around 20 Bangladeshi men allegedly crossed the border and surrounded him. He reportedly tried to escape but was overpowered. The group then allegedly took Gope across the international border into Bangladesh’s Panchagarh district.
Following the alleged abduction, BSF personnel rushed to the spot and initiated efforts to secure Gope's release. Officials also held a flag meeting with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). However, the farmer had not been released till Saturday night and was reportedly in BGB custody.The BSF remains in constant contact with Bangladeshi authorities to secure the farmer's safe release, while investigations are underway to determine the circumstances behind the incident and examine the possible involvement of organised cross-border smuggling groups.Rajganj MLA Dinesh Sarkar said the abduction was likely retaliatory but that this remained unconfirmed. Minister of state for transport Ananda Barman said the state govt was coordinating with BSF and was hopeful Gope would be returned soon.
Bangladeshi media, citing United News of Bangladesh, offered a different account — reporting that border residents in Panchagarh detained an Indian national in retaliation for the alleged abduction of a 78-year-old Bangladeshi man by BSF personnel. Local accounts in Bangladesh said Gope was detained after entering a sugarcane field on the Bangladeshi side near Sub-Pillar No. 12 of Main Pillar No. 742 in Satmara Union.