BGB, BSF to talk management of redrawn borders

The biannual meeting of the directors general of the border forces of Bangladesh and India begins today with management of the redrawn border and rest of the frontier among a host of issues on the agenda.

In absence of proper administration all these years, the adversely-held enclaves, according to sources, have provided a safe haven for criminals, smugglers and militants who are active in both countries. But now that the areas have merged with the respective mainland, law enforcers concerned are expected to crack down on them.

Security management of the areas following the exchange of enclaves is expected to come up at the meeting between the top officials of Border Guard Bangladesh and Border Security Force of India.

The BSF delegation will be led by Director General DK Pathak, while the 20-member BGB team, which reached India yesterday, is headed by Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed.

The BSF will flag the issue of fake Indian currency syndicate being operated allegedly by Pakistan using Bangladesh's territory. During Indian Prime Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June, the two countries signed a first of its kind memorandum to share information on smuggling of fake Indian currency.

The two forces are likely to share a list of smugglers and touts involved in human trafficking and illegal migration in the light of recent reports coming out of a number of cases of women and children being taken to West Asia using India as transit.

The two forces will also discuss cattle smuggling. India has taken a tough stand against the smuggling of cows resulting in death of many Bangladeshi nationals at the border.

However, this has also drawn strong protest from Bangladesh which raised the issue of rights violation along the border.

The two sides are also likely to discuss killings of innocent civilians on the border. Bangladesh has accused India of not taking action against BSF personnel for killing its villagers, a charge refuted by the BSF.

The BGB delegation is expected to raise the issue of the status of the fresh trial of the BSF constable accused of killing Bangladeshi teenager Felani Khatun. A special BSF tribunal had recently acquitted constable Amiyo Ghosh of the charge of murder, triggering a barrage of protests from rights groups on both sides of the border.

A final view on further course of action by BSF will be taken by BSF top leadership, but sources said Felani's family has the option of moving to civilian courts in India against the BSF tribunal's judgement.

According to BSF, it will take up the issue of border fencing on Bangladesh side which will help stop infiltration by criminals and smugglers.

Sources said the Indian side is also likely to obtain inputs from BGB regarding anti-India activities allegedly aided and supported by Pakistan in Bangladesh.

After the four-day BGB-BSF meeting, the two sides will sign an agreed minutes and issue a press statement and the two DGs are likely to address a joint media interaction.