By Firstdespatch Desk Dec 09, 2022
Agartala, Dec 9 (FD) The Border Security Force (BSF) and its Bangladesh counterpart, Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) in its just concluded three-day regional conference concluded here on Friday promised to work together to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Indo-Bangla border, an official said here on Friday.
"Various issues of bilateral interest to pave way for enhancing the understanding and cooperation between both the border guarding forces of the two countries were discussed at length", said Inspector General (IG), BSF, Tripura Frontier, Sumit Sharan at a joint press conference after three-day regional conference.
The three-day regional conference between BSF and BGB signed a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD).
Sharan, who led the India side, said special emphasis was given to the focused issues particularly insurgent activities, various trans-border crime, pending development works and smuggling of drugs and narcotic items.
"During the deliberations at the conference, leaders of both delegations were able to jointly evolve viable solutions to various bilateral issues being confronted by both border guarding forces. We vowed to further strengthen the bond of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation to ensure peace along the international border", he said.
The head of BGB delegation, Tanveer Gani Chowdhury, Additional DGP and Regional Commander, South East Region (BGB), highlighted the sincere commitment of BGB in maintaining peace along the international border.
"We have exchanged various views, ideas and concepts related to the international border in a congenial and lively atmosphere. Some important border issues - drug smuggling, trans-border crimes and arms smuggling were discussed in the three-day conference. We have reiterated our tough stand on extremist activities as well as ensuring zero killing on the international border", Chowdhury said.
Tripura shares an 856 km border with Bangladesh.
IG Saran said special emphasis was given to the focused issues, particularly insurgent activities, various trans-border crimes, pending development works, smuggling of drugs and narcotic items, and coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP). “Issues related to confidence building amongst the troops of BSF and BGB as well as the local population on both sides were also discussed,” IG BSF Saran said.
The officer also spoke about the good relations between the forces and claimed that in recent years, the relations between the border guarding forces have improved.
Regional Commander, South East Region (BGB), Tanveer Gani Chowdhury, who led the 13-member BGB delegation, said both the forces would work in close coordination to “zero out border killings”.
“We also decided to work together in curbing of smuggling of arms and trafficking. Both forces have also made commitments to bring the border killings to zero. We have also decided to launch a crackdown on insurgent activities and illicit drug trafficking,” Chowdhury said.
The BGB official also stated that both forces have also vowed to share valuable information on criminal activities, expedite development projects and identify areas that require amplified attention of both forces. FD