A farmer in Cooch Behar district near the India-Bangladesh border died of alleged electrocution on Thursday morning, with villagers blaming the BSF for his death.

Sources said Shahajahan Mian, 37, of Nagar Singimari village under Sitalkuchi police station, reached the border around 7am to go to his farm beyond the fences.

“As he reached the gate to go to his field, BSF men patrolling nearby asked him to clear the weeds near the fences. While doing so, he came in touch with a loose live wire and got electrocuted,” said Rafikul Rehman, his friend and neighbour.

At borders, live wires are laid to connect water pumps to irrigate farms beyond fences.

Azizar Mian, a daily-rated worker, said he was witness to it. “Shahajahan collapsed before my eyes,” he said.

The BSF personnel — there were reportedly three of them — apparently left.

His family rushed Shahjahan to the Sitalkuchi block health centre, and then Mathabhanga sub-divisional hospital where doctors declared him dead. The body was sent for post-mortem and a case of unnatural death filed.

“If his family files a complaint, we will do a probe,” said a police officer.

Some villagers demonstrated against the BSF.

BSF personnel could not be contacted.