India and Bangladesh have decided to work together to eliminate border killings of Bangladeshi people and to jointly inspect any building projects that are being carried out within 150 yards of the borders.
Following a four-day Director General (DG) level conference of the two border forces, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bangladeshi Border Guard (BGB), which took place in the Indian capital of New Delhi from February 17–20, the two nations came to an agreement.
The conference was attended by a 13-member team from Bangladesh, headed by BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.
However, BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary headed a 13-member Indian delegation to the conference.
According to a BGB news release released here today, a joint statement was released following the discussion, wherein the two friendly nations reached a consensus on some matters of mutual concern.
“In order to reduce the incidents of shooting/killing/injuring/beating of unarmed citizens at the border to zero level, both sides agreed to increase joint patrols in vulnerable areas of the border,” the joint statement said.
It also said that both the countries agreed to exchange immediate and advance intelligence information that would benefit both border forces, undertake public awareness programmes among the people living in the border areas and undertake various socio-economic and developmental programmes, and take necessary measures after proper investigation in case of any killing on the border.
During the conference emphasis was laid on the importance of forming a joint inspection team consisting of representatives of the appropriate authorities of both countries for inspection of any construction, barbed wire fence, any construction used for defense or bunker within 150 yards of the border and construction based on a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD).
The prompt resolution of development projects that are closed within 150 yards of the border through appropriate level joint verification was also discussed.
According to the joint statement, both parties have committed to combating a number of cross-border crimes, particularly the smuggling of livestock and drugs, such as phensedyl, yaba, and marijuana, as well as illegal infiltration, human trafficking, the smuggling of gold, weapons, counterfeit currency, and other items. They have also agreed to immediately share information about those involved in these crimes.
In order to avoid misunderstandings and unpleasant situations caused by the illegal crossing of the border by citizens and members of the forces of both countries in violation of international border laws, both sides have agreed to increase the surveillance of both forces at the border and to take public awareness activities to prevent the people of the border areas of the two countries from illegally crossing the border, the statement said.
Bangladesh and India agreed on taking effective steps to prevent human trafficking, especially assisting each other in preventing criminals or brokers of both countries involved in inhumane practices like human trafficking, and rescuing and rehabilitating the victims of human trafficking in accordance with the prevailing laws of the respective countries, it said.
Apart from these, both the countries also agreed on establishment of suitable water treatment plants to remove waste water from four border canals flowing from Agartala to Akhaura alongside opening of Rahimpur canal mouth with Kushiyara river in Zakiganj, the statement said.
Both sides also held fruitful discussions on the possible location of regional separatist armed terrorist groups and their activities, it said.
The friendly countries appreciated the mutual cooperation of both the forces in implementing various initiatives taken to increase mutual trust under the ‘Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), it said.
Both sides agreed to organize various bilateral activities including joint sports and joint retreat ceremonies in the coming days, it said.
At the conference, the BGB DG expressed deep concern over the killing of Bangladeshi citizens on the border and urged the BSF DG to take necessary measures to reduce the incidents of border killings to zero, said a BGB press release.
Highlighting the issue of construction of barbed wire fence/cattle fence on the zero line of the Angarpota-Dahgram border, the BGB chief drew the attention of the BSF DG to prevent recurrence of such incidents on the border in future, it said.
According to the release, the BSF was also asked to notify the relevant authorities about the building and repair of embankments along the banks in order to stop the border river from eroding and to avoid unplanned floods brought on by the opening of embankments upstream in Bangladesh and the unannounced release of water.
In addition, the BGB DG emphasized the importance of stopping the smuggling of gold and other products, drugs, and weapons from India to Bangladesh, as well as illegal infiltration and the suppression of border-related crimes like terrorism.
To maintain peace, order, and security at the border, the BGB chief urged the “Integrated Border Management Plan” to be implemented effectively.
The announcement stated that in response, the BSF DG reaffirmed the resolve to adhere to the “non-lethal” policy in order to eradicate border killings with the highest regard for human life and human rights.
He also reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining reciprocal cooperation in order to stop any activity that would jeopardize border peace, such as smuggling and drug trafficking.
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