Two Bangladeshi brothers died while quarrying coal from neighboring India in Sylhet. 

In this incident another four people were injured, according to police. 

Tahirpur police station officer-in-charge (OC) Mohammod Nazim Uddin confirmed the matter today (March 19).

He said the incident took place on the night of March 18, in the area of 1198 International Border Pillar-2 of the Meghalaya hills on the border of North Sreepur Union of the upazila. 

The deceased are - Shahabuddin's son Khairul Mia, 27, and Ramzan Mia's son Mokhlesh Mia, 25, both hailed from Lakma Nayapara (ward number three) of North Sreepur Union of Sunamganj, OC said.

According to locals, at the instigation of smugglers at the border, 10/15 youths from Lakma village crossed the Bangladesh border at around 10 pm on Monday and illegally went to India's coal mines through Tekerghat School and Lakma Bazar. 

Later, Khairul and Mokhlesh entered the mine to extract coal, but due to lack of oxygen and poisonous gas they died, said locals.

Earlier, on March 14, a Bangladeshi named Ayub Ali was killed while quarrying coal illegally from 1198 International Border Pillar-2 area.

On April 17, 2022, a Bangladeshi youth named Anik Mia, 20, died when the soil eroded on him while bringing coal illegally from the Indian coal mine through the Lakma area of the Baliaghat border outpost of the upazila.

Similarly on October 4, another Bangladeshi named Rubel Mia, 28, was killed. 

Besides, on November 7 last year, BSF arrested three Bangladeshis while quarrying coal from India through Chanpur border area, later handed over to BSF through flag meeting.

BDST: 2042 HRS, MAR 19, 2024
MSK