By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 4: The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) have resolved to jointly fight transborder crimes, incursions, and insurgency-related activities in their efforts to promote peace and tranquility along the international border.
The two border guarding forces took this resolution during the four-day Inspectors General BSF – Region Commanders BGB level Border Coordination Conference which concluded here on Thursday. The BSF and BGB also signed the Joint Record of Discussion (JRD) document after the conference.
The 13-member Indian delegation was led by the IG of BSF Tripura Frontier, Patel Piyush Purusottam Das, while the 13-member BGB delegation was led by Md Shazedur Rahman, BGBM, Additional Director General, Region Commander, Chattogram.
While speaking to reporters, Das said they were engaged in productive discussion since July 1 and have taken significant steps over enhancing the mutual friendships and cooperation between the two border guarding forces.
He further said that they had also given special emphasis on insurgency activities, various transborder crimes including smuggling of contraband items, psychopathic drugs and narcotic substances and pending infrastructural and developmental work.
Das also stressed the importance of fostering goodwill and mutual understanding between the two forces.
“We have discussed initiatives to promote cultural and sports exchanges between the BSF and BGB,” the BSF IG said.
He further stated that these activities will build camaraderie and enhance mutual respect and trust between the forces.
Rahman said the BSF and BGB remain committed to maintaining peace and tranquility along the border.
According to him, these engagements are vital for resolving issues between the two border guarding forces.
He said that during the four-day deliberations, they exchanged views, ideas and concepts of border issues in a congenial and lively environment.
Rahman said they also had fruitful discussions on border related issues and have committed to combating transborder crimes.
The BGB official said both forces have reaffirmed their joint efforts to address all transborder crimes and to enhance cooperation to prevent violations and intrusions and ensuring legal actions against perpetrators in accordance with the respective laws.
“We have made a commitment to reduce border-related incidents to zero through concerted efforts from both sides. Our discussions have emphasized zero tolerance towards smuggling of drugs, firearms, explosives and human trafficking,” he said.
Rahman said that they have also agreed to bolster preventive measures against such crimes and further take necessary to sensitise the border population, increase vigilance in vulnerable areas and share valuable information against drugs, narcotics and arms dealers to achieve better outcomes.
In addition, Rahman claimed that the migration of people from Bangladesh to other countries, including India, has decreased due to the improvement in the socio-economic condition.
Asked about two Bangladeshi teenagers who were recently caught in Meghalaya while they were on their way to Kashmir in search of jobs, BSF Meghalaya Frontier IG, Harbax Singh Dhillon said it was a case of illegal border crossing.
According to him, illegal crossing is quite different from human trafficking.
Das said they are making joint efforts to deal with the influx of refugees and illegal crossings.
He further said they had apprehended a lot of Indian touts and booked them under various sections of the law due to which there has been a decrease in the illegal crossing from Bangladesh to India.
Das further stated that they have also shared information with the BGB about the touts existing in Bangladesh.
According to him, the BGB has assured to take action against those touts.