4-day BDR-BSF conference opens in Sylhet

A 4-day conference between the border forces of India and Bangladesh began at a Sylhet hotel yesterday afternoon.
The conference aims to promote greater understanding between the border guards of the neighbouring countries and to resolve long-standing issues, said a Bangladeshi Rifles (BDR) source.
The conference will address trans-border problems such as trafficking, arms smuggling, barbed wire fencing and river disputes. The BDR will also raise the issue of Bangladeshi nationals being arrested, kidnapped or killed by Indian nationals or India's Border Security Force (BSF) in border areas. The adverse possession of land on both sides will also be discussed.
Eighteen members of the BDR and 13 members of the BSF are taking part in the conference.
India's delegation is led by SK Mishra, inspector general of the BSF, Tripura, Mizoram and Cachhar frontier. BDR DDG Brigadier General Mohd Obaidul Haque leads the team of officials from Bangladesh.
Other members of India's delegation include the inspector general of Assam and Meghalaya frontier Prithvi Raj, plus 15 deputy inspector generals. Sector commanders of Chittagong, Comilla, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Mymensingh and Sylhet as well as representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs are also attending.
India's border force team crossed Tamabil border at 11:00am and were welcomed by BDR Sylhet Sector Commander Colonel Neamul Islam Fatemi.
Conference delegates will travel from Sylhet to Dhaka today to take part in a programme in the capital until November 6. The conference will conclude on November 7 in Sylhet city.