Bangladesh to raise border killing issue in next BGB-BSF talks
Noting the topics Bangladesh will bring to the table during the meeting, the BGB issued a media release Sunday
Shooting of unarmed Bangladeshis, drugs and arms smuggling will be brought to the table in the next director general (DG) level talks between the Bangladeshi and Indian border forces.
Stating the topics Bangladesh will bring to the table during the forthcoming meeting, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) issued a media release Sunday, where the above-stated three issues were on the top.
The 51st DG-level meeting between the BGB and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) will be held on 22-26 December this year in Guwahati.
"Bangladesh will protest shooting, wounding and killing of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals in border areas," the BGB said.
The DG-level talks will also discuss measures to curb smuggling of Yaba, liquor, Phensedyl, heroin, marijuana, viagra, sanagra and other drug substances from India to Bangladesh.
The meeting will also emphasise intelligence sharing between the two neighbouring countries about drug-making factories, storage, routes and smugglers in India.
Bangladesh in the DG-level meeting will shed light on information exchange about arms and ammunition smuggling from India to Bangladesh, said the press release.
BGB Director General Major General Md Shafeenul Islam will lead the 11-member Bangladesh delegation while BSF DG Rakesh Asthana will be leading a 12-member team. Besides, top public officials of both countries will be present at the meeting.
The BGB said it will raise the issue over infiltrations by the BSF and Indian nationals.
The Bangladeshi force will also ask its counterpart not to carry out unauthorised development work within 150 yards of the border and complete other development works on the Bangladesh side as soon as possible.
At the meeting, the force will advocate for conservation banks of shared rivers in border areas.
The BGB will take up necessary steps for obtaining permission to use the Indian part of the River Padma to facilitate movements of local people at Char Mazardia and Char Khanpur areas in Rajshahi.
At the meeting, the force will bring the topic of exchanging information on armed terrorist and regional separatist groups within the Indian border. The meeting will also shed light on effective implementation of the "Combined Border Management Plan (CBMP)" for speedy resolution of border management and border related issues.
The BGB said it will also take various initiatives to increase mutual trust and friendship.
The conference will formally conclude on 25 December with the signing of the Joint Record of Discussions (JRD). The Bangladesh delegation will return home on 26 December.
