A journey cut short by the vow to defend the nation: BSF jawan Bishwapriya Roy from Jalpaiguri returned home in a coffin from Jammu—her mother’s anguished cries heavy in the air.

Her dreams ended at the young age of just 24. Bishwapriya Roy, a BSF jawan and a daughter of Jalpaiguri, met with an unnatural death while on duty in Jammu. Her mortal remains, encased in a coffin, arrived at Bagdogra Airport from Jammu on a special flight on Monday night. From there, the body was transported by road to her home in the Maynaguri block of Jalpaiguri. Upon seeing her daughter’s lifeless body, her mother broke down in inconsolable grief; the entire area was left stunned by the tragedy.

Bishwapriya Roy was a resident of Saptibari Gram Panchayat in Maynaguri block. She had been brilliant in her studies and excelled in sports since childhood. After completing school, she joined the BSF, driven by a dream to serve the country. She completed her training in 2023 and was posted to the Jammu sector. Bishwapriya was the eldest child in her family; her father is a daily wage laborer, and her mother is a homemaker. She also had a younger brother who is still in school. It was her salary that sustained the family.

According to BSF sources, Bishwapriya was found unconscious in her barracks at the Paloura camp in Jammu last Sunday. Although she was immediately rushed to a military hospital, doctors declared her dead. While the incident is initially suspected to be a case of suicide, the actual cause of death will only be confirmed following the post-mortem report and a Court of Inquiry.

On Monday, the BSF paid final tributes in Jammu with full state honors, including a gun salute. Her body was subsequently flown to Bengal.

On Tuesday morning, as the BSF convoy carrying the coffin arrived at her home in Saptibari, a wail of grief erupted. Her mother, Shefali Roy, repeatedly lost consciousness while clutching her daughter’s coffin. She cried out, “My child, didn’t you say you would come home for Puja? Is this how you return? What do I have left to live for without you?” Neighbor Anita Barman said, “She was a very cheerful girl. Whenever she came home on leave, she would organize parades for the neighborhood children. She used to say she wanted to serve the country. I simply cannot accept that she is gone like this.”

On Tuesday afternoon, the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Jalpaiguri, along with senior BSF officials, visited Vishwapriya’s home to pay their final respects. District Magistrate Shama Parveen stated, “Vishwapriya’s death is an irreparable loss. The district administration stands by the family, and all possible assistance will be provided by the state government.”

Her last rites were performed with full state honors at the Maynaguri crematorium in the afternoon. BSF personnel presented a guard of honor. A salute of gunfire and the mournful notes of a bugle marked the farewell to this brave daughter of Mother India.

Villagers are questioning the circumstances behind the unnatural death of this 24-year-old soldier. Her family has demanded a thorough investigation into all aspects, including whether she faced any workplace stress, ragging, or harassment. The BSF has announced that a Court of Inquiry has been initiated and an impartial investigation will be conducted.

This daughter of Jalpaiguri never returned from her duty guarding the nation’s borders. All that remains is a photograph of her smiling in uniform and the heart-wrenching wails of her mother.

The entire community of Jalpaiguri, including ‘Maynaguri Times’, is mourning the untimely demise of Vishwapriya Roy.