BSF-BDR discuss cross-border firing, smuggling issues in Dhaka

Preventing casualties in cross border firing, and tackling illegal infiltration and narcotics smuggling were among issues that were discussed during a high level conference of the border forces of India and Bangladesh, that concluded here today, but no firm consensus emerged.

The director general-level five-day border conference between Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held at BDR's Pilakhna Headquarters here.

Discussions put emphasis on several issues, including preventing killings and injuries in cross border firing, tackling illegal infiltration, narcotics smuggling, officials told a press briefing after the conclusion of the conference.

A 22-member BDR delegation, led by director general Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, and a 20-member BSF delegation, led by director general Raman Srivastava attended the conference.
 
The officials also discussed measures to halt erection of any structure within 150 yards of the border and the issue of criminals taking refuge in each other's territories.

The two sides also discussed steps to alleviate problematic issues and increase mutual cooperation between the two border security forces. 

However, the five-day meeting failed to arrive at any firm consensus over the issues, sources said. 

The BDR delegation included the deputy director general, director (operation & training), concerned BDR sector commanders, BDR headquarters officials, land record and survey department officials, and Joint River Commission officials. 

The BSF delegation included senior officials from the  BSF headquarters, frontier inspectors general, and home and foreign ministry officials. 

Bangladesh last week asked the Indian border guards to use alternatives to firearms to avoid deaths of innocent Bangladeshis in cross border firing.

Home minister Shahara Khatun made the call in a meeting with Shrivastava, and the BSF chief assured her to consider alternatives to bullets.

BSF, on its part, asked Bangladesh to stop the movement of people along the border at night. 

Both India and Bangladesh have frequently accused each other of firing on civilians from across the border. 

BSF has said it has often been forced to resort to firing along the porous border to ward off criminals and infiltrators including terrorists, especially during the night time who seek to cross into India.

A rights group here said lat week that some 875 Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead allegedly by the BSF along the border from January 2000 to August 31 this year.