The 57th BGB-BSF Director General-level Border Conference held at Indian capital New Delhi.
The conference began on June 8 and will continue until June 11.
The crucial meeting of the conference began at 11:00am on Tuesday through a photo session of the delegations of two countries.
Both nations raised critical agendas regarding border security, smuggling, and recent push-in attempts.
Earlier, a 15-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by BGB Director General (DG) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui reached New Delhi to attend the conference.
On the other hand, a 12-member delegation led by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) led by its chief Pravin Kumar attended the conference.
Conference sources said during Tuesday's meeting, BGB DG Major General Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui delivered his speech addressing the recent border situation and its resolution.
The BGB DG highlighted the conditions faced by communities living along the border due to recent push-in attempts by the BSF.
Besides, he expressed deep concern over border killings and requested both countries to work together more deeply to bring these incidents down to zero.
BSF DG Prabin Kumar, in his address, reminded everyone of the past friendly relations between the two countries regarding border management, stating, 'Smugglers and drug traffickers are enemies of both nations. Criminals have no country.'
Later, on behalf of Bangladesh, the ADG (Operations) of BGB presented the agendas of the meeting. Information regarding border killings by Indian citizens and miscreants was brought forward. The issue of using non-lethal weapons along the border was strongly emphasized.
It was stated that despite the agreement to use non-lethal weapons, civilians are being shot and killed at the border. Both countries were urged to reach a consensus on taking effective measures to stop push-ins.
Furthermore, agendas were raised regarding the prevention of illegal infiltration, halting the smuggling of various narcotics, weapons, and other banned goods from India to Bangladesh, preventing human trafficking, and stopping the construction of barbed-wire fencing and other unauthorized infrastructure within 150 yards of the international border.
In particular, the recent attempt to construct structures within 150 yards of the Indian side from the zero line at the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat was highlighted. For this, the 1975 border agreement between the then BDR and BSF of the two countries was recalled. Besides, proposals were placed to resolve various ongoing development works in the border areas.
According to meeting sources, the agendas presented included installation of optical fiber cables from Patgram to Dahagram through Tin Bigha Corridor, setup of ETPs (Effluent Treatment Plants) for waste and water drainage of four canals flowing from Agartala to Akhaura, the construction of permanent border pillars in the Muhurir Char area, and bank protection activities for transboundary rivers. Information was also exchanged regarding the potential locations and activities of regional separatist armed terrorist groups, alongside the submission of a list of terrorists. Furthermore, proposals were raised to stop illegal drone and helicopter flights that violate airspace, halt negative propaganda about Bangladesh and border regions in Indian mass media and social media, and implement various fruitful initiatives aimed at enhancing mutual trust and harmony between both forces.
The BSF presented several agendas. Those included a proposal to stop alleged attacks on BSF personnel and Indian civilians by Bangladeshi nationals. It was stated that several BSF personnel were seriously injured by Bangladeshi nationals along the 4,156-kilometer border over the past six months.
Besides, allegations were made that terrorists and criminals from Bangladesh enter Indian border villages to commit theft, robbery, and looting. The BSF expected cooperation from the BGB to resume the developmental works along the Indian border that have been halted due to BGB objections.
Furthermore, multiple agendas were raised by the BSF during the meeting, including suppressing trans-border crimes, preventing the entry of criminals into India, taking action against Indian insurgent groups operating inside Bangladesh, developing border infrastructure, implementing confidence-building measures between the two forces, and handling reform-related issues.
Key decisions adopted at the conference include initiatives to bring border killings down to zero, increasing joint patrols in vulnerable border areas, implementing public awareness programs among border residents, and conducting proper investigations and taking necessary actions for any killings at the border.
"The decision regarding the construction of structures within 150 yards of the border mandates approval by the Joint Inspection Team (JIT) before initiating the construction of any structure, barbed-wire fencing, or defensive installation. It also requires the swift resolution of halted development works within the 150-yard zone through proper joint verification."
To curb border crimes and prevent the smuggling of drugs (Phensedyl, Yaba, cannabis), gold, weapons, counterfeit currency, human trafficking, cattle smuggling, and other contraband, the following immediate information-sharing practices and strict measures are highly effective.
Preventing border law violations, increasing surveillance by both forces, and conducting public awareness campaigns to prevent border residents from crossing the border illegally.
Human trafficking is an international and heinous crime, making global cooperation, active rescue operations, and comprehensive rehabilitation essential to eliminate it.
Efforts to address these two critical issues are ongoing through border discussions, the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), and bilateral agreements between Bangladesh and India.
END/CORRESPONDENT/ASA
