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At a joint press conference on Saturday after the border conference, BSF Indian chief Rakesh Asthana promised to take “effective action”.
The head of the BGB, Major General Mohammad, emphasized the need to work together to stop crime at the border. Safinul Islam.
On the last day of the conference, a joint CEOs document was signed on Saturday between the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF).
The incident of killing a Bangladeshi in BSF shooting on the Bangladesh-India border is always up for discussion.
Murders at the border decreased a few years ago after India promised to do so amid criticism from the international community, but recently it has risen again.
According to the Human Rights Law and Arbitration Center (ASAC), at least 39 Bangladeshis have been killed in violence across Bangladesh’s borders in the past eight and a half months. Of these, 32 were killed by members of the BSF. Five people died after being physically abused by members of BSF.
During this time, last year (January-September), 26 Bangladeshis were killed by BSF shooting or torture at the border.
In the past five years, murders at the border have decreased in 2016, but have tripled in 2019.
Another statistic from the organization shows that 158 Bangladeshis have died at the border in the five years from 2015 to 2019.
As always, the issue of border killings was discussed at the Bangladesh-India border conference.
Responding to a question at a press conference at the BGB headquarters in Peelkhana in Dhaka, BSF boss Rakesh Asthana said: “BSF members always receive instructions on dismissal as a last resort. There are also instructions for use. non-lethal weapons.
“There have been regrettable deaths in the past in the fight against various crimes, including drug and animal trafficking on the border between the two countries. We have agreed to exchange” real-time information “on organized crime on the border between the two forces We also agreed to share information about those responsible for the crimes. “
Responding to a question about the murders at the border, the BSF chief said: “Most incidents that take place at the border are between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The criminals do their work in this While trying to suppress these crimes, 52 BSF members have been injured this year.
“Weapons of mass destruction were used when criminals organized and attacked the patrol. I am not legitimizing any killings. Even then, our members are instructed to shoot in the lower body if they have to shoot. However, poor visibility at night it often leads to unfortunate incidents. Even then, in the future you will see that we will take effective action on this. “
The head of the BGB, Safinul Islam, said: “The BSF has assured us to stop the killings at the border.”
Rakesh Asthana said: “Our policy is to reduce the murder quota at the border to zero. We are committed to doing so. At this conference, we have assured the BGB that we will do so through joint patrols. “
The BSF chief came to Akhaura on the way.
The Border Conference started in Dhaka
BGB CEO Major General Safinul led the 13-member Bangladeshi delegation to the conference that began on Thursday. The team included the Additional Director General and concerned staff officials from BGB headquarters, officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Joint River Commission and the Department of Records and Land Studies.
On the other hand, BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana led the six-member Indian delegation. His team included officials from BSF headquarters and the Indian Ministry of the Interior and Foreign Affairs.
In response to the BGB’s concerns about the deaths at the border, the BSF reiterated its policy of using non-lethal weapons on the Indo-Bangladesh border and ensured the transfer of all innocent, unarmed and trafficked persons to members. of the BGB.
The Director General of the BSF proposed to stop all forms of smuggling and start joint patrols in areas prone to cattle smuggling.
The BGB welcomed the initiative and both forces agreed that smuggling-prone areas should be identified in response to the new approach that smuggling unions are taking at the border.
At the conference, both parties agreed to take effective measures to prevent human trafficking and the illegal crossing of international borders.
Both CEOs agreed to help facilitate the rescue and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking as soon as possible in accordance with the customary law of their respective countries.
Both parties agreed to verify the nationality of the mentally disabled and expedite their delivery in cooperation with each other, expressing concern about the recent infiltration / forced shoving of the mentally disabled.
Both countries agreed not to undertake any development work within a 150 yard radius without prior approval.
According to the approval of the Joint Rivers Commission, it has been agreed to provide assistance for the conservation of the banks of the border rivers and not to work for the conservation of the common banks of the unauthorized rivers.
The BGB has suggested daily travel passes for those living in border villages so that they can visit relatives in India.
The BSF welcomed the proposal and both forces agreed to develop a process in consultation with interested agencies / ministries to facilitate such social trips.
The 51st Border Conference will be held in Guwahati, Assam, India next November.
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