Bangladesh, India agree to bring down border killings to zero

Bangladesh and India have agreed to take effective measures to bring down border killings of Bangladeshi nationals to zero and conduct joint inspection in case of carrying out any construction within 150 yards of the frontiers.

The two countries reached the agreement after a four-day Director General (DG) level conference of the two border forces -- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India -- held on 17-20 February in Indian capital New Delhi.

A 13-member Bangladesh delegation led by BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui participated in the conference.

On the other hand, a 13-member Indian delegation was led by BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary in the conference.

A joint statement was issued after the conference in which both the friendly countries have agreed on some issues of bilateral interest, said a BGB press release issued yesterday (21 February).

"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 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).

In addition, discussions were also held on the speedy resolution of development works that are closed within 150 yards of the border through joint verification at the appropriate level.

In the joint statement, both sides have agreed to suppress various cross-border crimes, especially preventing the smuggling of drugs and livestock including phensedyl, yaba and marijuana alongside preventing illegal infiltration, human trafficking, smuggling of gold, weapons, counterfeit currency notes, etc., and to exchange immediate information about the people involved in all 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 also said.

Both sides agreed to organise 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 the 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.

In addition, the BSF was requested to inform the appropriate authorities about the construction and renovation of embankments along the banks to prevent erosion of the border river and the unexpected floods caused by opening the embankments upstream in Bangladesh and releasing water without prior notice, the release said.

Apart from these, the BGB DG stressed the need for preventing drug and arms smuggling from India to Bangladesh, prevent smuggling of gold and other goods, prevent illegal infiltration and suppress crimes such as terrorist activities on the border.

The BGB chief called for effective implementation of the 'Integrated Border Management Plan' to ensure peace, order and security at the border.

In reply, the BSF DG reiterated the commitment to follow the "non-lethal" policy to eliminate killings at the border with utmost respect for human life and human rights, the release said.

He also reiterated the need to continue mutual cooperation in preventing any kind of activities that may be detrimental to peace at the border, including preventing drug trafficking and smuggling.