Zero killing along the border

We welcome the assurance by the DG of the Indian Border Security Force that killings of Bangladeshi nationals along the border would be brought down to zero. Although the figures of those killed by BSF firing have come down it would be a very good confidence building measure if the killings were brought down to zero immediately because even one death of an innocent civilian is one too many.
And in this context we find it difficult to accept the argument of the BSF that its personnel use minimum force to save their lives, which is a euphemism for firing in self defence. If one were to analyse each of the deaths that have occurred over the last several years there is nothing to show that the unfortunate victims had in any way threatened the safety of the BSF personnel or they were even armed with lethal weapons. And most of the killings occurred singly. A single individual posing a threat to a BSF out post is rather an unconvincing an argument.
Having said that, let us stress that it is not our intention to enter into a debate on the issue. The moot point is that border killings send the wrong signal, and it creates the perception that the situation at the borders is hostile. That is certainly not conducive to the furthering of our bilateral ties.
Those who manage our borders on either side of it must comprehend the unique nature of the Bangladesh - India border and a very sensitive approach is needed to manage it. When the two countries have taken recourse to several confidence building measures along the border like coordinated patrolling, one wonders why this aspect has been neglected. Border killings should be brought down to zero and in this regard we feel the onus is on India.