Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted at the frontier in Malda district have gone beyond the call of duty to make arrangements for Bangladeshi relatives to pay their respects to a 55-year-old Indian who died on Thursday.

The body of Abdul Khaleque, a resident of Keshtopur village under Englishbazar police station, was brought to the Zero Line on Thursday night for a handful of relatives from Bangladesh to bid a final goodbye. Khaleque had been ailing for some time and breathed his last on Thursday evening.

After his death, his family members and other relatives approached officials of the 44th battalion of the BSF that is posted in the area.

“They told us that some of their relatives live on the other side of the border in Bangladesh and want to see the person’s mortal remains before the last rites are conducted. The commandant accepted the request and spoke with the head of the battalion. The commandant was soon given the go-ahead and Khaleque’s family was told to ask their relatives from Bangladesh to come near the Zero Line. A message was also passed on to the Border Guard Bangladesh,” a source said.

Khaleque’s body was taken near the Zero Point between India and Bangladesh and was kept there from 10pm to 10.15pm. The relatives from Bangladesh came and paid their last respects.

The body was then brought back to Keshtopur and the last rites were conducted.

“Khaleque had a number of relatives in Bangladesh and they wanted to pay homage to him. It is only because of the BSF’s efforts that they could reach the Zero Line and fulfil their wish,” said Miraz Sheikh, a villager.

A senior official of the BSF said the force organised various drives in the border villages round the year to develop cordial relations with residents.

“We have helped several patients from these areas to reach hospitals and also conduct a number of health camps. We extend assistance to local students regularly” he said.