Dhaka: Bangladesh and India have agreed to take effective measures to reduce border killings of Bangladeshi nationals to zero. This decision was reached following a four-day Director General level conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India, held in New Delhi from February 17 to 20.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a 13-member Bangladeshi delegation led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui participated in the conference, while the Indian delegation was led by BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary. A joint statement was issued after the conference, highlighting several issues of bilateral interest.
The agreement includes increasing joint patrols in vulnerable areas to prevent incidents of shooting, killing, injuring, or beating unarmed citizens. Both countries will exchange immediate and advance intelligence information, undertake public awareness programs in border areas, and implement socio-economic developmental initiatives. Additionally, measures will be taken after investigations in any border-related killings.
The conference emphasized forming a joint inspection team to oversee construction activities within 150 yards of the border. Discussions also covered speeding up resolution of halted development projects within this zone through joint verification.
Both sides committed to tackling cross-border crimes, including smuggling drugs, livestock, and arms, and preventing illegal infiltration, human trafficking, and currency counterfeiting. Enhanced surveillance and public awareness campaigns will aim to prevent illegal border crossings.
Efforts will also focus on preventing human trafficking, assisting in the apprehension of traffickers, and rehabilitating victims. The establishment of water treatment plants to clean wastewater from border canals and opening the Rahimpur canal mouth with the Kushiyara river in Zakiganj were also agreed upon.
Discussions also touched on the activities of regional separatist armed terrorist groups. Both nations acknowledged their mutual cooperation under the ‘Coordinated Border Management Plan’ (CBMP) to build trust.
The BGB DG expressed concerns over border killings and urged the BSF to ensure such incidents are reduced to zero. The BSF was also requested to address issues related to barbed wire fences and embankment renovations.
The BSF DG reiterated a commitment to the ‘non-lethal’ policy to prevent border killings and emphasized cooperation in preventing activities that threaten border peace, including drug trafficking.