BORDER Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday expressed grave concern over the killing of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF in the bordering areas. In the four-day coordination conference between Bangladesh Border Guards and Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) at Director General level in Guwahati, the capital of Indian state of Assam, the Bangladesh side has also raised concern over the presence of armed bands of Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) inside the Indian state of Mizoram across Bangladesh border.
Killing of innocent Bangladeshi nationals at border is not coming to an end, as we see despite repeated assurance by the Indian government over the years. We can’t understand what is wrong and why BSF does not live up with their promises that they make at every such joint conference about to stop the killing. There can’t be good reason to underestimate Bangladesh for peace in the border, though the Indian government may underestimate our government for its subservient policy as a political price to stay in power.
Killing of civilians or beating and injuring them for alleged trespassing the border is an abhorrent crime. It can be lawfully handled. Such shooting at sight is not permitted under national or international laws for offense like smuggling in which BSF is equally an active party. It is two-way traffic. We would say the decision about joint border patrolling at night is a good step to bring down fatalities if BSF stop mindless shooting
Moreover, the presence of armed CHT bands in Mezoram is an open threat to our national security and why India is sheltering them while Bangladesh has destroyed any such hideouts of Indian terrorist groups long ago is a big question. BSF chief’s claim that India follows zero tolerance policy towards presence of armed CTH bands in its soil sounds empty unless their presence is being destroyed. Moreover, we don’t know why India claims that large number of Bangladeshi nationals have infiltrated in India for jobs when Bangladesh economy is stronger creating more jobs and our per capita income has already surpassed India’s. The reality is that thousands of Indians are illegally working in Bangladesh and sending about US$ 5 billion remittance annually to their homes. Recent arrest of 3204 people who went to Guwahati with valid visa can’t be a good example of infiltration.
