BSF, BGB discuss illegal and forced border crossings at DG-level talks
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) discussed “illegal and forced border crossings”, among other issues along the India-Bangladesh border, during the
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) discussed “illegal and forced border crossings”, among other issues along the India-Bangladesh border, during the three-day Director-General-level talks that concluded on Thursday, a BSF statement said. The 57th DG-Level Border Coordination Conference between the border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh was held in Delhi from June 8 to 11. “During the deliberations, both sides held detailed discussions on measures to effectively prevent trans-border crimes, including smuggling of narcotics, arms, counterfeit currency, gold and other contraband, as well as illegal border crossings and human trafficking. The two delegations also discussed issues relating to border deaths and illegal/inadvertent/forcible crossing at the border areas, construction of border infrastructure, implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan, confidence-building measures and the need for closer cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges along the border,” the BSF statement said.
Unlike in the past, when the DG-level meeting was followed by a press conference, this time only a statement was issued by the BSF. Over the past month, there have been multiple incidents of undocumented persons, suspected to be from Bangladesh, being sent across the border on foot, only to be stopped by the BGB. The reported pushback of undocumented persons, not restricted to the West Bengal border but also along the Meghalaya, Tripura, and Assam frontiers, has resulted in confrontations between BSF and BGB personnel at several border points. There have also been reports of stone-pelting along some of these stretches. While Bangladesh has refused to accept the undocumented persons, questioning their nationality, the BSF has maintained that they had entered India illegally and were carrying documents indicating Bangladeshi nationality. The Indian delegation was led by BSF Director-General Praveen Kumar, while the Bangladesh delegation was led by BGB Director-General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.
“The conference has been conducted in a cordial, positive and forward-looking atmosphere, reflecting the enduring cooperation and mutual trust between the two border guarding forces. As the highest-level bilateral mechanism between BSF and BGB, the border coordination conference provides an important platform to review the prevailing border situation and discuss issues of mutual concern relating to border security and border management,” the BSF statement said. It added that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, tranquillity and stability along the India-Bangladesh border and agreed to further strengthen coordinated patrols, enhance vigil, improve real-time information sharing and intensify joint efforts against trans-border criminal networks. “Emphasis was also laid on sensitising border population about the sanctity of the international boundary and promoting greater public awareness to prevent illegal activities in border areas,” it said. The two border guarding forces reiterated their shared resolve to adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards trans-border crimes, insurgent activities and any actions that undermine border security.
The BriefWire