The Hindu : BSF, BDR for tranquil border

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2002

International

International

BSF, BDR for tranquil border

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA MARCH 25 . The border guards of India and Bangladesh ended their three-day Director-General-level talks here today with both sides pledging prompt action and cooperation to resolve "problems" that would surface in the 4000 km. long common border in future.

It was a routine meeting of the Directors-General of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) but it acquired significance mainly because the two met for the first time after the tragic incidents in Padua and Baroibari early last year. Issues such as killing of innocent people, cross-border terrorism, un-demarcated boundaries, rampant smuggling and land disputes were discussed. The chiefs signed a Joint Records of Discussion at the end of the talks.

At a joint press conference at the BDR headquarters, the BSF chief, Gurbachan Jagat, who led a 12-member team, described the meeting as "cordial and fruitful". The Director-General of the BDR, Rezzak-ul Hyder, said both forces would continue to maintain a "peaceful and tranquil border" and take prompt steps in resolving problems. They were also in favour of taking positive steps to curb smuggling. The meeting took stock of allegations of killing of innocent civilians from both sides and discussed ways and means to avoid future casualties.

Mr. Jagat said their discussion, among others, was centered on three new points: joint border patrolling, training and joint sports activities by the two forces in an effort to gain greater understanding. Both chiefs also termed the border clashes last year as "unfortunate and tragic" and vowed to take "effective measures" to avoid their recurrence in future. Later, issuing a press release at the BDR headquarters, Maj. Gen. Hyder said the meeting discussed various issues.

Mr. Jagat refused to accept a journalist's contention that the India-Bangladesh border is getting violent compared to other international borders.

The Indian delegation which earlier visited Rangamati in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox's Bazar port left for home today.

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