THE killing of two BDR men by India's Border Security Force the other day is an act that cannot but cause deep concern in Dhaka. Coming at a time when there are noticeable changes for the better in relations between the two countries and especially when the foreign secretaries of the two countries have been meeting in Delhi, the shooting by the BSF has laid open to question the modus operandi on which it operates at the border. Indeed, in the past too there have been reports of indiscriminate firing by the BSF on people in Bangladesh territory and especially of BDR personnel.

While it remains our hope that the situation does not get any worse than it has already, it is also our expectation that swift, corrective action will be taken to roll back the damage already done. The BSF has claimed, every time such conditions have occurred, that it has acted against cattle smugglers operating from within Bangladesh. In the present circumstances, however, the images of the dead BDR men only belie the Indian claim. Moreover, there is the disquieting instance of the BSF intruding into Bangladesh and shooting the two Bangladeshi men dead. If evidence were at all needed, the seizure of a speedboat used by the BSF, along with other items, is out there. The sadder part of the whole sordid story is that the BSF is yet to issue a statement of regret over the incident. There are the figures to show how Bangladesh has been at the receiving end of the BSF's trigger-happy attitude. In the first half of this year, as a report by a human rights body shows, 32 unarmed Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing. In the same period, 22 other Bangladeshis were injured, with yet another 22 being abducted. The irony is that when policy makers in India and Bangladesh are engaged in devising ways and means of improving bilateral relations, such spur-of-the-moment acts as the incident in question can only undermine the whole exercise.

We hope that such incidents will not recur, that indeed the BSF will in future desist from resorting to unprovoked firing into Bangladesh territory. At the same time, we think it is time to consider a new approach to be taken to flag meetings between the two sides. The general impression is that flag meetings usually take place after an incident has already taken place. We suggest that frequent and regular flag meetings be held in order for the BDR and BSF to keep themselves updated on conditions. We also think that the decisions made at the official level should of necessity percolate down to the ground, where it is the personnel of the two forces who matter. It seems those with weapons act on the spur on the moment.

We offer our condolences to the families of the dead men and pray for the salvation of their souls.