BSF claims its non-lethal strategy drawing more attacks along borders

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has claimed that adopting a non-lethal strategy in border patrol is reciprocated with frequent attacks along the border in two neighbouring countries.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 Feb 2017, 02:28 PM
Updated : 21 Feb 2017, 02:28 PM

Director General of the force KK Sharma highlighted the concern at the 44th border conference held in Dhaka on Feb 18 claiming that “they are facing frequent attacks after stopping the practice of using firearms along the border.”

Sharma and Head of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Abul Hossain briefed the media on Tuesday after the conference.

BGB's Public Relations Officer Muhammad Mohsin Reza read out a paper presenting common concerns and points that the two heads have agreed on.

"Although we have brought down the rate of deaths on the border to zero by using non-lethal strategies, the attacks on BSF members are taking place at an alarming rate," Sharma said.

BSF pledged to ensure zero border killings amid concerns of international human rights groups on the killing of Bangladeshis at the Bangladesh-India border.

Statistics show the target has almost been achieved, he claimed.      

The BSF chief said that BSF uses arms only when it is necessary for self-defence and fire by weapons which are non-lethal.

BGB director general, however, called upon the BSF to ensure zero killing on the border and raise awareness among Indian citizens over the matter.

The two forces agreed to lead joint patrols in areas prone to cattle and drug smuggling and aware mass people about international border law. 

They also agreed to visit and inspect the crime scenes together.

However, on a note of investigation, BGB head Abul Hossain said: "Neither BGB nor BSF can investigate a murder. That is the job of the police forces of the respective countries."

To fight environment pollution, an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) will be set up at India's Agartala border while a box culvert drainage will be constructed at Bangladesh's Akhaura border.

The two heads have agreed to raise border huts and pursue respective ministries to upgrade border tourism.

They have also reached consensus to launch joint training, drills, rafting, rowing, mountain climbing, etc.

KK Sharma led 19 BSF members while Abul Hossain represented a 26-member BGB team at the conference.

The next border conference is scheduled for the first week of October this year.