Dhaka expresses concern over ‘rising’ border killing

Bangladesh has expressed its concern at a recent “rise” in the number of killings of Bangladeshi nationals by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

The foreign ministry said the issue had been raised at the home secretary level meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi.

Senior Secretary for home affairs Md Mozammel Haque Khan led Bangladesh side, while Union Home Secretary LC Goyal led the Indian team at the 16th round of such talks.

The foreign ministry said the two sides reviewed a wide range of security issues including terrorism, insurgency, smuggling, and trafficking.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen the border management system through “enhanced joint patrol and regular meetings at local levels”.

Border deaths have been a contentious issue between India and Bangladesh.

Though the BSF said they had adopted the strategy to use non-lethal weapons since 2012, at least four people were killed along the border last week.

The BSF said they fire only when they fail to contain a situation with non-lethal weapons.

The killing of BSF personnel in the border by smugglers have also risen since 2012, according to the BSF.

The foreign ministry said both sides had agreed to expedite the process of repatriation of fishermen apprehended by the law enforcing agencies for “unintentionally” crossing the maritime borders.

The Indian side thanked the Bangladesh side for “comprehensively” addressing their security concerns and assured their full cooperation in minimising the security threats in the region.

Before the meeting, the Senior Secretary for home paid a courtesy call on Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his office.

In the meeting, the Indian Home Minister appreciated the work of the ‘Joint Working Group’ on security and reiterated his government’s commitment to “further strengthening the bonds of friendship”.