The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) have agreed to share intelligence to combat trans-border crimes including terrorism and insurgency.
Officials of both BSF and BGB, attending the 5-day India–Bangladesh Director General (DG)-level border talks underway in Guwahati, informed Northeast Now that “both the sides have stressed on real-time exchange of information about the activities of the arms traders in both the countries in a bid to prevent the border crime including smuggling of arms and ammunition”.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
While speaking exclusively to Northeast Now, BGB spokesperson – Lieutenant Colonel Foyazul Rahman informed that apart from Intel sharing, discussions were also held on implementation of “Effective Integrated Border Management Plan” for border management and speedy resolution of border related issues to increase mutual trust and friendship between the two forces.
He said that the border guarding forces of both the Countries are keen on preventing trespassing, illegal crossings or infiltration.
Also read: Home Minister Amit Shah to visit Assam on December 26, key opposition leaders likely to join BJP
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Lt Col Fayezul said that the BGB delegation would also express their “serious concerns on alleged incidents of shooting, wounding and killing of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals at the border by BSF and request an end to such unprovoked actions”.
Also on the table for discussion was the issue of “smuggling of various types of illicit drugs from India to Bangladesh including Yaba Tablets, Phensidyl, Alcohol, Cannabis or Ganja, Heroin and Viagra or Senegra”.
Lt Col Fayezul said that the BGB has urged the BSF not to carry out unauthorized development work within 150 yards of the border and resolve other development projects in Bangladesh at the earliest.
Implementation of river bank conservation works in the border areas of both the countries was also on the table, he said.
The 5-day Director General-level talks from December 22 to 26 is being held to deliberate border related issues and to “enable better coordination than before, between the two border guarding forces” with special focus on addressing and streamlining mechanisms to curb various trans-border crimes and real-time sharing of information between both border guarding forces.
While the 12-member Indian delegation is being led by BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana, BGB Director General Major General Md Shafeenul Islam is heading the 11-member Bangladesh delegation at the routine border conference at Guwahati.
The conference will formally conclude on December 25 with the signing of the Joint Record of Discussions (JRD).
After the conference, the Bangladesh delegation would return to their country on December 26.