BSF-BGB to begin joint developmental, infrastructure works

The border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh have taken a "momentous" decision to initiate joint civil works on five development projects along the 4,096 kms of shared boundary which will help the local population on both sides.

At the end of their four-day biannual border talks conference that began on June 11 in Delhi, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also said they are working independently and jointly to "reduce" the instances of killing of Bangladeshi nationals in the boundary area.

The issue of these killings, which the BSF has linked to miscreants and smugglers either attacking its personnel or indulging in other cross-border crimes, has been a major irritant between the two neighbours.

Both border guarding forces emphasize on expediting and giving more momentum to developmental and infrastructure activities that will boost the trade and bilateral relations between both the friendly nations

During this conference, in a momentous decision that will have a profound positive impact on the lives of the population along the Indo-Bangladesh border, a total of 5 developmental projects were agreed upon, enhancing the joint efforts towards progress and prosperity in the region and both border guarding forces agree upon curbing of border crimes effectively through more night simultaneous coordinated patrols (scp) in vulnerable areas and real time sharing of information

These five development projects are related to the construction of a bailey bridge, road repair and the strengthening of the retaining walls along the border that runs on India's eastern flank in five states of Assam, West Bengal, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Maj Gen A K M Nazmul Hasan,  Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh (DG BGB) led the Bangladesh delegation to India, to attend the 53rd Border Co-ordination Conference between the Border Security Force, India and Border Guard Bangladesh held at BSF Chhawla Camp, New Delhi from 11th June to 14th June 2023 . The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen,  Director General, Border Security Force (DG BSF).

After detailed discussions on the Agenda Points, both sides agreed to adhere to the conclusions reached. Highlights of the Joint Record of Discussions are:-

DG BSF appreciated the cooperation of BGB which paved the way for expediting the construction of Single Row Fence and essential elements along the Indo-Bangladesh border. DG BGB assured full cooperation and mentioned that concerned battalions have been instructed to conduct joint verifications for the proposed single row fence works. Both sides also agreed for a meeting of Nodal Officers within one month's time for sorting out the matters related to developmental and infrastructure works.

Highlighting the importance of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) in curbing the peril of trans-border crimes like drugs smuggling, contraband items, FICN/Gold/Narcotics, both sides agreed to pursue and share real-time information and interrogation reports of traffickers (if any) and assured to remain extra vigilant to curb them in order to make the Indo-Bangladesh border crime free.

On the issue of violent incidents along the border, and to ensure reducing their number, both sides agreed to work jointly and engage professionally, enhance joint patrolling, vigilance especially during late hours of the nights to early morning, intensifying public awareness programmes, sharing of real-time information and making all out efforts to bring these criminals to justice.

Both sides appreciated the efforts taken for strengthening mutual cooperation through various agreed events undertaken as Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) under the Comprehensive Border Management Plans, Quarterly meeting at Nodal Officers’ Level, coordinated joint patrolling, and identification of the vulnerable areas. DG BSF also pointed out that the number of sports activities amongst the both forces at the border should increase and both should also explore the possibility of having water sports activities in the riverine border, which was well taken by DG BGB. Both sides agreed to continue with all the bi-lateral engagements like games and sports, joint retreat ceremonies, goodwill visits, training exchange programmes, etc in the days to come. The exchange visits by the media houses were also duly appreciated by DG BSF as proposed by DG BGB.

Both DGs expressed their satisfaction over the outcome of the conference. Both the delegation leaders reiterated their commitments to work jointly for maintaining peace and tranquility at the border. Both sides provisionally agreed to hold the next DG level conference in Bangladesh.

BSF DG Sujoy Lal Thaosen said his troops had to fire on miscreants "only as a last resort". BGB DG Maj Gen AKM Nazmul Hasan said the issue was a "matter of great concern" for them and if the two sides worked together the killings would be reduced.

"The BSF does not discriminate among criminals...when such an incident happens it is done as a last resort when the life of a BSF personnel who is on duty, is threatened," Thaosen said.

"BSF believes in the use of non-lethal weapons and this has been our policy, this has been made mandatory and it is followed rigorously. However, when we find that force was used by BSF personnel which was more than necessary then legal action is taken against them," he said.

Thaosen said his force has decided to bring these numbers to the "minimum" and all efforts are being made to sensitise and train the officers on the ground, he said.

Maj Gen Hasan said, "We have discussed various measures to reduce these killing incidents and sometimes it was seen that there was misunderstanding or miscommunication between lower-level or ground-level troops and we (BGB and BSF) are working together on this issue," the BGB DG said.

The visiting Bangladeshi commander said illegal migration from both sides has been an issue as the two countries share common culture and heritage and locals have friends and relatives residing on either side of the border.

"We are working together to seal the border, undertake joint patrolling so that incidents of illegal trespass do not take place," the BGB DG said.  The BSF statement added to reduce the number of violent incidents along the border, both sides agreed to work jointly and engage professionally, enhance joint patrolling and vigilance especially during late hours of the night to early morning.

They also agreed to intensify public awareness programmes, sharing of real-time information and making all out efforts to bring criminals to justice. the statement said.

The two sides also agreed to pursue and share real-time information and interrogation reports of traffickers and assured to remain extra vigilant to curb trans-border crimes like smuggling of drugs, contraband items, gold and fake Indian currency notes in order to make the India-Bangladesh border crime-free, the statement said.

These talks were held annually between 1975 and 1992 but they were made bi-annual in 1993 with the either side alternatively travelling to the national capitals of New Delhi and Dhaka. A BSF delegation is expected to travel to Dhaka for the next round of these talks later this year.