NEW DELHI, Oct 4 - The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday pledged to step up vigil along the international border to check movement of jihadi elements across the border from Bangladesh.
The issue of jihadi activities figured at the 43rd Border Coordination Conference between the Directors General of the BSF and BGB that concluded here today with the signing of a joint statement.
BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed led a 22-member Bangladesh delegation, while a 25-member Indian delegation was led by BSF DG KK Sharma. The two delegations also comprised senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Department of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Joint River Commission (JRC), and Survey of India.
�We want number of deaths to come down, but at same time, want to stop cattle smuggling; that�s why we use non-lethal weapons,� BSF DG KK Sharma told newsmen.
�Today, we made joint efforts to curb and control cattle smuggling, arms and human trafficking and drugs,� BGB DG Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed said.
Sources said illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and smuggling of narcotics and cattle also figured during the discussions. However, it was movement of jihadi elements across the international border that dominated the talks following the recent arrest of several Bangladeshi jihadis in Assam and West Bengal.
It was agreed that the two forces would use border roads of both the countries in remote areas of the international border to reach their respective BOPs, sources said, adding, the status of the proposed 61 border haats in the Northeast was also discussed.
The joint statement, meanwhile, said that both sides reiterated the need for effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) for better border management so as to prevent cross-border criminal activities, incidents of violence and tragic loss of lives and the number of deaths at the border and to ensure that such incidents are brought down to minimum.
Both sides also agreed to take measures like mounting additional vigilance in areas vulnerable in curbing the menace of transborder crimes like smuggling of drugs, narcotics, cattle smuggling, gold smuggling, and fake currency notes. They also agreed to increase coordinated patrols in vulnerable areas, deployment of quick reactions teams and educating border population about sanctity of the international border.
India appreciated the cooperation extended by the BGB for taking action against the Indian insurgent groups based in Bangladesh and the BSF DG sought continued cooperation in this regard from his Bangladesh counterpart. �Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entity or element hostile to any country,� BGB DG assured India.
While agreeing to take effective steps for prevention of human trafficking and illegal transborder movement, both sides appreciated the efforts made so far to improve relations through various already agreed upon confidence building measures.
The next DG-level conference will be held in Dhaka in the last week of February, 2017.
NEW DELHI, Oct 4 - The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday pledged to step up vigil along the international border to check movement of jihadi elements across the border from Bangladesh.
The issue of jihadi activities figured at the 43rd Border Coordination Conference between the Directors General of the BSF and BGB that concluded here today with the signing of a joint statement.
BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed led a 22-member Bangladesh delegation, while a 25-member Indian delegation was led by BSF DG KK Sharma. The two delegations also comprised senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Department of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Joint River Commission (JRC), and Survey of India.
�We want number of deaths to come down, but at same time, want to stop cattle smuggling; that�s why we use non-lethal weapons,� BSF DG KK Sharma told newsmen.
�Today, we made joint efforts to curb and control cattle smuggling, arms and human trafficking and drugs,� BGB DG Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed said.
Sources said illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and smuggling of narcotics and cattle also figured during the discussions. However, it was movement of jihadi elements across the international border that dominated the talks following the recent arrest of several Bangladeshi jihadis in Assam and West Bengal.
It was agreed that the two forces would use border roads of both the countries in remote areas of the international border to reach their respective BOPs, sources said, adding, the status of the proposed 61 border haats in the Northeast was also discussed.
The joint statement, meanwhile, said that both sides reiterated the need for effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) for better border management so as to prevent cross-border criminal activities, incidents of violence and tragic loss of lives and the number of deaths at the border and to ensure that such incidents are brought down to minimum.
Both sides also agreed to take measures like mounting additional vigilance in areas vulnerable in curbing the menace of transborder crimes like smuggling of drugs, narcotics, cattle smuggling, gold smuggling, and fake currency notes. They also agreed to increase coordinated patrols in vulnerable areas, deployment of quick reactions teams and educating border population about sanctity of the international border.
India appreciated the cooperation extended by the BGB for taking action against the Indian insurgent groups based in Bangladesh and the BSF DG sought continued cooperation in this regard from his Bangladesh counterpart. �Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entity or element hostile to any country,� BGB DG assured India.
While agreeing to take effective steps for prevention of human trafficking and illegal transborder movement, both sides appreciated the efforts made so far to improve relations through various already agreed upon confidence building measures.
The next DG-level conference will be held in Dhaka in the last week of February, 2017.
