Indiscriminate shootings and killings of Bangladeshi nationals by India鈥檚 Border Security Force and Indian citizens along the frontier topped the agenda at the just-concluded 56th Director General-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh and BSF held in Dhaka.
The four-day talks (Aug 25-28) ended on Thursday with the signing of the Joint Record of Discussions.
DG BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui led the Bangladesh delegation, while DG BSF Shri Daljit Singh Chaudhary headed the Indian side.
Briefing reporters after the conference, the BGB DG said that the Bangladesh side expressed deep concern over border killings.
In response, the BSF chief reiterated his force鈥檚 commitment to adopting additional precautionary measures and intensifying night patrols in vulnerable areas.
Both sides agreed to launch joint awareness campaigns, promote socio-economic development initiatives in frontier areas, respect border sanctity and prevent cross-border crimes with the aim of reducing killings to zero, he said.
When his attention was drawn to border shootings, DG BSF Shri Daljit Singh Chaudhary said that BSF members had been trying not to use lethal weapons for the last 15 years.
In the first six months of this year, Daljit Singh said, 35 BSF members were seriously injured in sharp weapon attacks by infiltrators.
Along the border area, BSF members first warned then prevented and, as a last resort, shots were fired, he said.
But the BGB DG disagreed with the BSF DG鈥檚 statement, saying that the BSF shot dead a young Bangladeshi citizen in broad daylight.
The BGB DG raised the question of how risky the child was for border security force.
On push-ins of individuals, including Indian nationals and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, into Bangladesh, Bangladesh sides raised objections and called for adherence to established repatriation procedures.
The BSF chief assured that Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in India would be repatriated through agreed processes.
When his attention was drawn to push-ins, the BSF DG avoided to a direct reply and said 鈥榠llegal Bangladeshis鈥� are being handed over to the appropriate authorities by following due process.
He also said that action was being taken against only those who are illegal infiltrators as per the rules. 鈥楽o far, 550 people have been handed over to the BGB, the verification process of 2400 cases in this regard is going on, the Bangladesh High Commission is cooperating,鈥� he added.
Meanwhile, the Joint Record of Discussion underscored the importance of the Coordinated Border Management Plan in curbing smuggling of narcotics, arms, explosives, gold, fake Indian currency, and other contraband. Both sides pledged to remain vigilant, share real-time information, and stop such crimes.
They further agreed to refrain from development activities within 150 yards of the zero line without prior approval, expedite border development projects, facilitate riverbank protection works approved by the Joint Rivers Commission, and prevent unauthorised activities in common rivers.
On the Connected Bangladesh project, the BSF DG assured to place the issue of optical fiber network installation in Dahagram via Tin Bigha Corridor before the concerned Indian ministries.
Both sides reiterated zero tolerance against armed insurgents and terrorist activities, stressed the need for permanent border pillars at Muhurir Char and demarcation of border rivers, and consented to share information to avoid airspace violations.
They also agreed to advise their respective media not to spread misleading reports that could create border tensions.
Both the DGs expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the conference and reaffirmed their commitment to working together for peace and stability along the border.
