Border Killings by BSFL: India claims they open fire in self-defence

Multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during a virtual summit between Bangladesh and India on December 17. Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, who was busy with the developments, was in cheerful mood. The Daily Star made a phone call to have a discussion with the minister.

"Today is a very good day. Today's conference (virtual summit) with India was held in a very cordial manner. We are very pleased with it," the minister said on the phone.

The Daily Star (DS): It was great that the summit was held in a cordial manner. Is there any good news regarding two crucial issues -- the Teesta water-sharing agreement and border killings?

Momen: You know what the barriers to signing the Teesta water-sharing agreement are. The Indian government has promised multiple times that they would sign the agreement after solving their internal disputes over the issue. So, there is no reason to create an embarrassing situation by raising the question repeatedly. Instead, you should ask the government and media of West Bengal. The agreement has already been drafted with the signatures of some officials concerned. But it cannot be implemented. The Indian central government has agreed to sign the agreement, but it cannot be implemented as the public opinion in West Bengal is against it.

DS: Is India making visible attempts to implement it?

Momen: You better ask Indian leaders; I cannot answer on their behalf. They have promised to implement it and we want to trust them.

DS: How can the media play a role in this matter?

Momen: You may ask this question to Indian politicians. It is worthless to ask me.

DS: Is there any progress in ending border killings?

Momen: We have been discussing the issue with the Indian government for long. The Indian government has already told us that they would no longer use any lethal weapons at the border. The Indian prime minister has reiterated this today [December 17]. They also want to end border killings. But the one thing they have said is that there is still criminal activity there and the criminals use lethal weapons. So, we have to be alert. The criminals may use lethal weapons and explosives and attack Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. It is not fair. They may even attack BSF men after entering Indian territory. This cannot be called "border killing". This can be termed "killing inside India". Many times, people die inside Indian territory, far from the border. They trespass into Indian territory for illegal trading. They often face trouble centring illegal financial dealings. Then, they are killed. The media should disseminate news on the reasons behind illegal financial dealings. You should expose it.

DS: In many cases, we get information from BGB sources that people are shot dead inside Bangladesh territory.

Momen: Criminals may die inside Bangladesh territory, but the numbers of such cases is very low. Similar incidents happen in every country across the world; not only in Bangladesh. Around 1,000 people die every year in similar incidents in the USA. The number this year is around 1,040. Police have killed them. So, these incidents are not unique to Bangladesh. We don't want anyone to be shot dead, but this is happening across the world. It is a fact of life. We will be happy if you can build a world where no unnatural deaths happen.

DS: Are there no alternative ways to solve the problem, instead of shooting people?

Momen: India is saying they have to open fire on criminals in "self-defence". You know there are many criminals in the border areas. You may collect information on them and file investigative reports on this issue. In many cases, criminals have explosives in their possession. These allegations have been raised from the Indian side. We have not investigated it.

DS: Should the Bangladesh government investigate the allegations?

Momen: Yes, of course.

DS: How will Bangladesh benefit through the agreements and MoUs signed at the summit?

Momen: India is our big neighbour. We are getting benefits in many ways as we have a good relationship with them. Our people go there for medical purposes. India also has big investments in our country ... . But I cannot give you the exact, accurate information right now. We feel secure. If we soured relations with our neighbour, we could not feel secure. India is providing us different types of assistance on multiple issues. India too feels secure for having good relations with us. Both countries have the common target of eliminating terrorism. So, the activities of terrorists have been significantly curtailed.

DS: What is the latest status of discussions with India over the Rohingya issue?

Momen: India agrees with us that Rohingyas will have to return to their homeland. This is the solution. India will provide all-out cooperation to this end. They believe that repatriation of Rohingyas is the only solution.

DS: But India was neutral and refrained from voting in the United Nations over this issue. This drew huge criticism.

Momen: It is a strategy of India. India did not vote in our favour. They were neutral as part of their strategy. They informed us about the matter before. They said, "We will not vote for you because we want to be neutral. We have to compromise with Myanmar over some issues." This is the Indian strategy.

DS: But China voted for Myanmar…

Momen: China did it out of their own interest. We cannot force China to change it. We cannot force China to stop supporting Myanmar. This is their policy. They told us that they are helping us. They have already helped us in some ways, but that does not mean we can direct them.

DS: What is the latest status of discussions with Myanmar about repatriating the Rohingyas?

Momen: Our last discussion was held on January 20 this year. We formed a committee in that meeting. Our DG (director general) and Myanmar ambassador were included in the committee. It was an effective discussion where Myanmar told us that they have prepared booklets over the Rohingya issue. We hope to get a good result soon.

DS: Will the process of relocating Rohingyas to Bhasan Char continue?

Momen: We have decided to relocate Rohingyas to Bhasan Char as a temporary arrangement as a huge number of Rohingyas are living in a small place [in Cox's Bazar]. We don't want people to suffer. Many people have even died in landslides. That is why we decided to relocate some Rohingyas to Bhasan Char to minimise the risk to their lives. Locals are dissatisfied with this for multiple reasons. There are some groupings among the Rohingyas. Some Rohingyas have already died in internal violence. That is why we have decided to relocate a few of them to Bhasan Char.

DS: Will all Rohingyas be relocated?

Momen: Normally, around 3,000 people live per square kilometre in Bangladesh. The corresponding numbers are 36 in the US and 15 in Europe. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are there. They said there are very few people in their countries. So, they can take Rohingyas to their country. But there is very limited space in our country. If you can find some space, we can relocate Rohingyas there. We have urged all to take Rohingyas, if they want. But none showed interest. Only Canada said they would take six Rohingyas.

DS: What is the Bangladesh government's plan? Will all Rohingyas be relocated to Bhasan Char or will some be relocated there?

Momen: We cannot answer this in one word right now.