Implementation of boundary plan stressed

Three-day BSF, BGB meet begins

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have stressed on implementing the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) to help better management of the international boundary.

The issue of border management plan came up for discussion on the inaugural day of the three-day IG BSF-BGB border coordination meeting, which began here on Monday.

“I feel early implementation of the CBMP will bring paradigm change in border management of the forces and make life of population living along the border more peaceful and secure,” said IG BSF Headquarters S K Mishra.

“The BSF and the BGB face common trans-border issues like movement of militants, drugs, arms, smuggling and poverty which need greater amount of cooperation and understanding,” Mishra said.

According to Mishra, the signing of the protocol by both the countries will resolve the long pending issues of adverse possession besides strengthening the bond between the two forces.

“It is in the interest of both the forces to pool our resources together and combine our efforts to put an end to the menace,” he said.

The border management programme is the first step after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina signed a protocol in September.

In the first session, the BSF emphasised on the issues of illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India, trans-border crimes committed by Bangladeshi nationals inside Indian territory, poaching of Indian natural resources by Bangladeshi nationals and camps of Indian insurgent groups in Bangladesh.

The BGB raised the issue of killing and injuring Bangladeshi nationals by Indian nationals, apprehension of Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF and smuggling of drugs and Phensedyl to Bangladesh.

The 12-member BGB delegation, led by Brig Gen Abu Syaeed Khan, includes representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.