The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) discussed “border deaths and illegal/forced crossings”, among other issues along the India-Bangladesh border, during the Director-General-level talks that concluded on Thursday, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) said in a statement.
Even as the two force commanders were meeting in New Delhi, Border Security Force personnel on the ground were locked in a standoff at several places over the BGB’s refusal to take back Bangladeshi infiltrators arrested at the border. At one place in Meghalaya, border residents of both countries also engaged in stone pelting when Indian forces tried to push back the intruders while border guards and local villagers refused to let them enter in this way. HT reported on June 12 how the BGB had stationed armed volunteers to defend villages at more than a dozen points across the international border in West Bengal and Tripura. The move came amid India’s escalating crackdown on illegal immigrants from the neighboring country and a policy of returning people suspected of questionable nationality.
Unlike previous years, the two sides did not hold a joint conference after concluding the talks on Thursday, and instead issued their own statements. The Border Guard said: “During the deliberations, the two sides held detailed discussions on measures to effectively prevent cross-border crimes, including smuggling of drugs, weapons, counterfeit currency, gold and other smuggled goods, as well as illegal border crossings and human trafficking. The two delegations also discussed issues related to deaths at the border, illegal/unintended/forced crossing in border areas, establishment of border infrastructure, implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan, confidence-building measures and the need for cooperation.” Closer in addressing emerging security challenges along the border.
The Border Guard Forces said that the two sides affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability along the India-Bangladesh border.
The 12-member Indian side was led by Director General of Border Security Forces Praveen Kumar, while the Bangladeshi delegation was led by Major General Muhammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.
According to a BGB statement, Siddiqui expressed “deep concern” over the incidents leading to the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals along the border, and urged the Border Security Forces to take effective measures to reduce border killings to zero. On the issue of pushes, the Chief of Border Guard, according to the statement, raised concerns about what he described as recent incidents involving Rohingya/Myanmar nationals and Indian nationals being pushed into Bangladesh. Bangladesh reiterated that individuals verified as Bangladeshi citizens will be received through existing bilateral repatriation mechanisms and urged adherence to existing protocols, the statement said.
“He urged the Director General of the Bangladesh Border Guard to take immediate steps to stop such practices and follow established bilateral mechanisms and protocols to repatriate individuals identified as Bangladeshi nationals. On the other hand, the Director General of the Bangladesh Border Guard urged to complete all pending citizenship verification cases with the Bangladesh government and ensure their early repatriation. The two parties agreed that top priority should be given to discharging responsibilities in accordance with agreed procedures and existing bilateral mechanisms. They also reaffirmed their joint commitment to ensuring BGB: “Effectively implement these measures in the spirit of cooperation, mutual trust and good-neighborly relations.”
The BGB statement also said that India has raised concerns over the illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals and illegal Rohingya migrants to India. He added: “The two sides agreed to take preventive measures against illegal cross-border movement.”
