The Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Riffle (BDR) on Monday said that they are considering a plan of joint border management. Addressing a joint press conference after the conclusion of the five-day BSF-BDR talks in Dhaka, the Director General of BSF Raman Srivastava said that a plan for joint border management which included co-ordinated patrolling by both the forces was given to the BDR which will be examined by the Bangladesh Government.
Srivastava said, the BSF has urged the BDR to take steps against smuggling of fake currency notes, arms, human and drug trafficking. AIR Dhaka Correspondent reports that the BSF has also handed over a list of 67 criminals and insurgents who are reported to be hiding in Bangladesh. Both the Directors General expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the talks which they said helped in reaching a greater understanding between the two forces.
After five days of discussions with the Bangladesh Rifles, the BSF Director General Raman Sirivastava described the talks as a landmark in BSF-BDR relations which will set new benchmarks for the future. Both sides hope this will help in curtailing illegal border activities and also minimize casualties in border operations.
The two sides have also decided to increase the number of meetings between field level officers and also organize exchange visits between of families and children to promote greater understanding between the forces. They also expressed the hope that the issue of adverse possession of land along the India- Bangladesh border would soon be addressed by the joint boundary working group which is likely to meet in November. AIR