Diplomatic Correspondent :
The delegations from Bangladesh and Myanmar on Thursday agreed that they would work together to prevent transnational crimes, especially drug smuggling.
They also consented to enhance border security and ensure better border management.
The decision was after a 4-day border conference held at Pilkhana BGB headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday.
BGB Additional Director General Brigadier General Md Anisur Rahman led the 15-member Bangladesh delegation, while 11-member Myanmar delegation was led by its Chief of Police General Staff Brigadier General Myo Than.
“Both sides have agreed to curb drug smuggling, illegal arms trading, women and child trafficking as well as all other crimes by initiating joint-border patrol, increasing surveillance in the bordering areas and maintaining continuous communication among field-level commanders of the two countries,” Additional Director General (Operation and Training) of BGB Brigadier General Mujibur Rahman told the journalists at a press briefing. The two sides also agreed to exchange information relating to border crimes immediately, Mujibur Rahman said after signing a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD).
The delegations discussed pre-fixed agenda elaborately in a friendly environment, he said.
They expressed deep concern and anxieties at the drug smuggling, especially Yaba pills, he said.
Giving emphasis on the ill-effects of Yaba on the young generation of the two countries, the meeting agreed to cooperate with each other in preventing drug smuggling.
The Myanmar side agreed to continue their efforts to prevent Yaba smuggling. ‘Both sides have agreed to continue joint-patrolling along the border, Mujibur Rahman said.
The Bangladesh side expressed deep concern over the issues of border trespassing, firing on the border and also requested the Myanmar side to maintain peace and stability along the border and to take necessary steps to stop those, he said.
In reply, the Myanmar side assured Bangladesh of taking necessary steps to stop the occurrences, Brigadier General Mujibur Rahman said.
Border security issues, including prevention of smuggling of illegal drugs, especially, Yaba pills, firing on the frontiers by BGP and Myanmar Army, trespass into Bangladesh territory by Myanmar nationals, operating Myanmar military helicopter and drone in the bordering areas, removing landmine and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from zero line of the border, setting up of Border Liaison Office, implementation of development activities in frontiers and steps for increasing mutual cooperation as well as confidence were on the agenda of the border talks.
