​BGB-BSF DG level talks begin in Dhaka tomorrow

Killing, abduction or detention of innocent Bangladeshi citizens on the border with India will dominate the five-day director general level conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) that will formally start tomorrow at the Pilkhana Headquarters of BGB in Dhaka.

A ten-member BSF delegation led by its Director General (DG) K K Sharma reached Dhaka today. The delegation also included officials from the ministries of home and external affairs, and top BSF officials, Muhammad Muhsin Reza, public relations officer of BGB, told The Daily Star.

BGB Director General (DG) Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam will lead a 15-member delegation of the Bangladesh side. The other delegation members include representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), foreign ministry, home ministry, Department of Narcotics Control, Joint Rivers Commission, and Survey of Bangladesh.

During the five-day conference, shooting at innocent Bangladeshi citizens, illegal trespassing of border, smuggling of firearms, ammunition and explosives, smuggling of contraband Phensedyl, heroin and Yaba into Bangladesh, development works within 150 yards of international boundary will be discussed.

Three Bangladeshi citizens were killed in physical torture, seven sustained injures and three were abducted on the border with India from January till March this year, according to the rights body Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK).

Last year, a total of 24 people were killed, 35 wounded and 40 people were abducted on the border, ASK statistics showed.

The two sides will sign a joint record of statement on April 26, followed by inauguration of a joint retreat ceremony on April 27 by the DGs of the two forces.