AIZAWL, Aug 22 - A joint border conference between the deputy commissioners of Lunglei, Mamit and Lawngtlai districts of Mizoram and their counterparts from Rangamati and Bandarban Hill districts of Bangladesh was held here today.
This was the third such meeting held to address the common issues in areas along the border between the two countries. Altogether 18 major issues were discussed at length in the meeting, which was convened by Mizoram Home Secretary Lalbiakzama, at the State Guest House.
The discussion began after the delegates were briefed on the outcome of the last joint meeting held in Chittagong on November 25, 2015.
Some of the key issues discussed at the meeting were cross-border illegal infiltration, prevention of illegal trespassing along the border and combating cross-border crimes, prevention of smuggling of narcotic substances and drugs, establishment of deportation centres for illegal migrants and criminals, prevention of trafficking of women and children, smuggling of forest produce to Bangladesh via Karnafuli, maintaining the water level of the Kaptai dam � especially during the monsoon season � to avoid floods in the low-lying areas in Mizoram, improve sharing of information and cooperation between district administrations and the police, border trade at Silsury, Marpara and Kawrpuichhuah and curb illegal cross-border trade.
Other issues that came up for discussion in the meeting include joint land survey in areas along the border, construction and repair of Indo-Bangladesh boundary pillars, border fencing, joint patrolling by the BSF and the BGB, improving the mobile network at BOPs and CIO camps, flagging of boats for easy identification, establishment of BOPs along the border areas of the Bandarban Hill district and implementation of decisions taken at the previous joint conference.
