Bangladesh urges zero border killings at BGB-BSF conf

A four-day-long 55th Border Conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held in New Delhi, India, from February 17 to 20. During the conference, there was a strong call for necessary measures to reduce the number of border killings of Bangladeshis to zero.

The discussions covered various issues, including joint inspections and the construction of permanent structures and barbed-wire fences within 150 yards of the border.

BGB’s Public Relations Officer, Md Shariful Islam, provided these details on Friday night. He mentioned that a 13-member Bangladesh delegation, led by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, participated in the conference. On the other hand, a 13-member delegation from BSF, led by Director General D.G. Singh Choudhury, also took part in the conference.

During the conference, the BGB Director General expressed deep concern over the killings of Bangladeshis along the border. He urged the BSF Director General to take necessary actions to bring border killings down to zero.

The discussions also addressed the issue of joint inspections by the relevant authorities of both countries regarding the construction of permanent structures and barbed-wire fences within 150 yards of the border. The importance of constructing any permanent structures based on the documents of the joint discussions was emphasised.

The BGB Director General raised the issue of constructing barbed-wire fences along the Angorpota-Dahgram border at the zero line. He drew the BSF Director General's attention to preventing similar incidents in the future.

Additionally, the BGB Director General requested that the BSF inform the relevant authorities about the construction and repair of embankments to prevent erosion of rivers along the border. The BGB also asked BSF to ensure that the proper authorities are informed when releasing water from dams upstream in India, which causes unexpected flooding in Bangladesh.

The prevention of drug and weapon smuggling from India into Bangladesh, as well as the smuggling of gold and other items, was also stressed. Measures to curb illegal immigration and criminal activities, such as terrorism, at the border were discussed.

To ensure peace, order, and security along the border, the BGB Director General emphasized the effective implementation of the 'Integrated Border Management Plan.'

The BSF Director General reiterated his commitment to following a 'non-lethal' policy to resolve border killings while respecting human lives and human rights. He also reaffirmed the importance of continuing mutual cooperation to prevent harmful activities, including drug trafficking and smuggling, in order to maintain peace along the border.