Bangladesh, India pledge to eliminate border killing

Bangladesh and India have agreed to take concrete measures to eliminate border killings, strengthen security and enhance cooperation on cross-border issues, following the 55th Border Conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF), reports UNB.

The four-day conference (February 17 to 20) in New Delhi, saw a 13-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, engage in discussions with the Indian delegation, headed by BSF Director General Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, according to a BGB media release.

During the meeting, the BGB chief expressed deep concern over the killings of Bangladeshi citizens along the border and urged BSF to take necessary measures to bring the incidents down to zero.

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, said the release.

The BGB DG stressed the effective implementation of the 'Integrated Border Management Plan' to ensure peace, order and security along the border.

In response, BSF reiterated its commitment to a non-lethal policy while upholding human rights and pledged continued cooperation to curb border crimes, including drug trafficking and smuggling.

In order to reduce the incidents of shooting/killing/injuring/beating of unarmed citizens on the border to zero, both sides agreed to intensify joint patrols in vulnerable areas, exchange intelligence promptly, undertake awareness campaigns among border communities and implement socio-economic development initiatives.