Dhaka: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has renewed its concern about the firing and killing of Bangladeshi nationals along borders with neighbouring India.

The issues were raised at the 44th Border Conference between BGB and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) held at the BGB headquarters here.

The formal talks began on February 19 and ended today (Tuesday).

During the conference, Director General (DG) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Abul Hossain underscored the need for bringing the border killing to zero level through exercising extreme restraint by BSF and sensitising Indian nationals, according to a joint statement, which was read out at a joint press conference after signing the joint record of discussions.

Highlighting the fact that though the non-lethal strategy has proved extremely effective in reducing deaths along the border, BSF DG Shri KK Sharma said it has also resulted in an alarming rise in the incidents of attacks by criminals on BSF personnel, the joint statement said.

He claimed that BSF personnel fire with non-lethal weapons only in self-defence, seeking BGB’s cooperation in stopping Bangladeshi nationals from crossing the line of border.

Joint efforts by BGB and BSF will be taken to bring down the killing incidents to zero level by increasing coordinated patrols in areas vulnerable to cattle and drug smuggling, educating border population about the sanctity of international border (IB) and preventing criminals from crossing the IB.

The both sides agreed to conduct joint spot verification and appraisal on major incidents or killings in the bordering areas of Bangladesh and India which will go a long way to reduce the differences of opinion or understanding regarding any major incidents, the joint statement said.

Earlier at the 42nd DG-level talks between the two border forces in Dhaka on May 16, 2016, both the border forces agreed to carry out joint investigations into border killings and other major incidents but this time they shifted to the decision of ‘joint spot verification and appraisal’ instead of joint investigation.

When his attention was drawn to it, BGB chief Maj Gen Abul Hossain said the authority of investigation into any incident like killing is not given to BSF like BGB. “The authority [of investigation] lies with police and that’s why they [BSF] don’t have authorities to investigate the incident.”

“So this year, we’ll identify the spots along the border areas where the killings took places and later we’ll take next steps in this regard,” he added.

During the border conference, both sides agreed to take effective steps to prevent human trafficking and illegal crossing as well as to enhance joint capacity building of personnel from either side, sharing of information regarding organised criminal activities and increased surveillance in areas vulnerable to crimes on the border.

In this regard, mapping of vulnerable areas to trans-border criminal activities will be updated as and when required and before each DG-level talk, the joint statement said.

Both the DGs expressed their satisfaction over the outcome of the conference, and reiterated their commitment to working jointly to maintain peace, tranquility and security along the border.

Both sides agreed to hold the next DG level conference at New Delhi in the 1st week of October 2017.

Abul Hossain led the 26-member Bangladeshi delegation while his Indian counterpart a 19-member Indian delegation in the 44th Border Conference held on February 18-22.