BDR, BSF agree to halt killings of innocent civilians
Friday, 12 March 2010
NEW DELHI, March 11 (BSS): The paramilitary border forces of Bangladesh and India agreed to halt killings of innocent civilians on both sides of Bangladesh-India borders.
They, however, admitted that the cases of killings of innocent people took place during nighttime.
The six-day director general-level conference of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India ended Thursday at the BSF headquarters with signing of the agreed minutes.
Visiting BDR Director General Maj Gen Mainul Islam and BSF Director General Raman Shrivastabha signed the minutes at the conclusion of the conference.
"We have arrived at a good understanding and could know each other's concerns," Shrivastabha was briefing the journalists at a joint press conference after the conclusion of the meeting. He expressed his hope that the outcome of the conference would have "very good influence on the Indo-Bangla relations."
"We got very positive response from the BSF side on matters of our major concerns and we focused on ground realities during the meeting and we are sure to implement the decisions," Maj Gen Islam said.
He said the Prime Ministers of the two countries had signed a strategic document during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit in January. "We will follow the wishes of the two leaders who gave us a vision of friendship and cooperation," he added.
Responding to a question on the BDR carnage in February last year, the BDR chief said that it was a mutiny followed by murders of many high-ranking officers. He said the persons responsible for the killings would be brought to justice as per the country's law.
The BDR chief further said that Bangladesh was 'upset' at the killings of innocent civilians in the border areas. We have decided to show utmost restraints in this regard limiting the visits of civilians in the zero line areas.
He referred to Bangladesh government's firm resolve not to allow its territory for carrying out subversive activities against India and said in a lighter vein: "We have not enough resources to harbour terrorists."
Shrivastabha said the responses from the Bangladesh side on all issues have been "extremely positive."
Responding to a question whether Delhi has submitted any list of 'wanted persons' to Dhaka during the conference, the BSF chief answered in the affirmative, saying, "We have only asked them to see whether those persons were in Bangladesh or not."
He said, "It is very difficult to find out wanted persons from either countries. It is a very difficult job, if you do not know their exact locations."
They, however, admitted that the cases of killings of innocent people took place during nighttime.
The six-day director general-level conference of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India ended Thursday at the BSF headquarters with signing of the agreed minutes.
Visiting BDR Director General Maj Gen Mainul Islam and BSF Director General Raman Shrivastabha signed the minutes at the conclusion of the conference.
"We have arrived at a good understanding and could know each other's concerns," Shrivastabha was briefing the journalists at a joint press conference after the conclusion of the meeting. He expressed his hope that the outcome of the conference would have "very good influence on the Indo-Bangla relations."
"We got very positive response from the BSF side on matters of our major concerns and we focused on ground realities during the meeting and we are sure to implement the decisions," Maj Gen Islam said.
He said the Prime Ministers of the two countries had signed a strategic document during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit in January. "We will follow the wishes of the two leaders who gave us a vision of friendship and cooperation," he added.
Responding to a question on the BDR carnage in February last year, the BDR chief said that it was a mutiny followed by murders of many high-ranking officers. He said the persons responsible for the killings would be brought to justice as per the country's law.
The BDR chief further said that Bangladesh was 'upset' at the killings of innocent civilians in the border areas. We have decided to show utmost restraints in this regard limiting the visits of civilians in the zero line areas.
He referred to Bangladesh government's firm resolve not to allow its territory for carrying out subversive activities against India and said in a lighter vein: "We have not enough resources to harbour terrorists."
Shrivastabha said the responses from the Bangladesh side on all issues have been "extremely positive."
Responding to a question whether Delhi has submitted any list of 'wanted persons' to Dhaka during the conference, the BSF chief answered in the affirmative, saying, "We have only asked them to see whether those persons were in Bangladesh or not."
He said, "It is very difficult to find out wanted persons from either countries. It is a very difficult job, if you do not know their exact locations."