Two BSF men have been killed and hundreds injured in attacks by trans-border criminals. Border Guards Bangladesh accuses BSF of killing unarmed citizens.
New Delhi: The Director-General level talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) next week will try and find solutions to the rising number of attacks on BSF personnel at the border between the neighbours.
The growing fatalities and injuries are set to dominate the agenda at the talks, to be held in Dhaka between 23 and 27 April.
In the last one year, two BSF personnel have been killed and over 100 injured by trans-border criminals, who indulge in smuggling of cattle and fake Indian currency notes. No casualties were reported in 2016, but 109 personnel were injured.
The BGB, however, is expected to focus on the alleged killings of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF.
Top officials from the ministry of external affairs, the ministry of home affairs, and the Intelligence Bureau too will attend the meeting.
BSF’s concerns
“Since India follows a non-lethal strategy for trans-border criminals from Bangladesh, keeping in view friendly relations with the country, BSF personnel posted in the area have become a target,” a BSF officer told ThePrint.
“Till now we were only using pump action guns, rubber bullets, and other non-lethal weapons to counter attacks from that side. However, this seemed to embolden the criminals, who are attacking the BSF personnel at regular intervals, causing casualties. But since troops cannot fire in retaliation, it has become a major concern for the safety of our personnel.”
The talks will focus on finding solutions and formulating a better strategy to counter these attacks.
Other points on the BSF’s agenda are finding solutions to prevent the smuggling of cattle and fake Indian currency notes, abduction of Indian nationals, and illegal migration and human trafficking.
“The meeting will also focus on comprehensive border management, which include sharing of information, identification of vulnerable areas, construction of a single row fence, and other developmental work,” the BSF officer.
BGB’s agenda
The BGB, meanwhile, will raise the issue of the alleged killing/beating up of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF officers across the 4,096-km border between the countries. The BGB has also sought the home ministry’s attention to the number of “innocent” Bangladeshi nationals arrested by the BSF.
It is also expected to table issues like the smuggling of drugs — including Phensedyl, Hashish, Ya ba and Viagra — and arms from India into Bangladesh by Indian nationals.
“The BGB has also mentioned that there seems to be a violation in the construction design of the single row fencing, which too will be brought up. A progress report on establishment of effluent treatment plant inside India and construction of 400 metres of drainage near the integrated check post at Akhaura in Bangladesh will also be discussed,” a BSF officer said.