Shillong, Nov 29: The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) on Monday have agreed to zero tolerance towards insurgent activities, smuggling of arms and explosives, human trafficking through the Indo-Bangladesh international border.

At the same time, both the forces have decided to further strengthen existing preventive measures against other trans-border crimes at the three-day border coordination meeting between the two border guarding forces, which concluded in Shillong.The Bangladesh delegation was led by Tanveer Gani Chowdhury, Additional Director General, Region Commander, South East Region Chattogram of Border Guard Bangladesh.

He was accompanied by Region Commander NE Region, Sarali, Sector Commanders of BGB Cumilia, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and other BGB delegates. The India delegation was led by Inspector General, BSF Tripura Frontier, Susanta Kumar Nath. Also present were Inderjit Singh Rana, Inspector General, BSF Meghalaya Frontier and Mridul Sonowal, Inspector General Designated, M&C Frontier.

Addressing a joint press conference, Tanveer told journalists that important border related issues were discussed in depth and efforts have been taken to curb the trans-border crimes.

“We have expressed zero tolerance for insurgents activities, smuggling of fire arms and explosives, human trafficking etc,” he said adding “Both the forces agreed to further strengthen the existing preventive measures against such crimes.”

He said the BSF-BGB have also agreed to take necessary actions to further sensitize the bordering population, increase vigilance in the vulnerable areas and share valuable information regarding drugs/narcotics and arms dealers for a better result to yield.

“We have also agreed to enhance the confidence building measures between both forces by regular engagement and arranging various events at different levels,” he added.

The BGB additional DG further informed that both the forces have been able to identify the areas where amplified attention is required at both levels.

He said the aim of these conferences is not only to resolve border-related issues but also to develop and foster better understanding and good relations between the two border guarding forces.

“The very positive gesture exhibited by BSF has strengthened our confidence. We have our firm belief that the outcome of this conference will further solidify the existing bonds of friendship and traditional ties between our two forces,” he asserted.

Issues taken up in border coordination meeting

During the meeting, BSF mainly emphasized on attacks/assaults on BSF personnel and unarmed Indian Civilians and other provocative action by Bangladeshi criminals.

Issues related to security and action against Indian Insurgents groups (IIGs) taking shelter in Bangladesh was also stressed.

BSF also provided facts and figures to BGB list containing details of hideout camps of IIGs based in Bangladesh, list of BD criminal involved in fence breaching, attack assaults on BSF and Indian national, cattle smugglers, FICN racketeers, Bangladeshi traffickers and touts involved in drugs trafficking, human trafficking, sympathizers of Indian insurgents in Bangladesh were hand of over to BGB. IG BSF requested Region Commander BGB to take effective measures to stop illegal migration of BD national, prevention of trans-border crimes and take stringent action IIGs whose Camps still exist in Bangladesh.

Border Guards Bangladesh delegation mainly emphasized upon firing on Bangladesh national by Indian nationals/BSF.

Kidnapping/ apprehension of Bangladeshi national, Illegal trepassing by Indian national into Bangladesh territory, smuggling of various types of drugs/narcotics from India to Bangladesh. BSF mentioned that BSF alongwith Indian nationals are exercising maximum restraint and resort to firing as a last option in the self-defence only. It was also mentioned that Border Security Force (BSF) personnel are now using the non-lethal weapons like pump-action guns along the Indo- Bangla border, which has resulted in considerable change in the environment on the border. Apart from it, various developmental issues along the International Border were also discussed.

Both the Border Guarding Forces agreed to look into each other’s perspective on border problems with an open mind and to increase sharing of actionable intelligence to curb trans-border crimes and to have a peaceful tranquil atmosphere along the International Border. The next co-ordination conference will be held at Bangladesh.