Date:31/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/31/stories/2007103156551300.htm

International - India & World

BSF-BDR consensus on exchanging terror information

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: India and Bangladesh have reached a consensus on exchanging terror information and handing over criminals hiding in each other’s territory as the five-day directors-general level talks between the two neighbours ended.

In the Dhaka meeting, claimed to have been held in a cordial atmosphere, Bangladesh has again denied the Indian charge that its insurgents are getting sanctuary in Bangladesh.

Despite the denial, the Indian delegation, headed by BSF Director-General A.K. Mitra, handed over a list of 141 insurgents camps to the Bangladesh side.

In its turn, the BDR handed over a list of 1,591 criminals and other fugitives claiming that they are hiding in India and demanded their early return.

Positive outcome

Even if the BDR-BSF meeting had no instant positive outcome, the consensus to show utmost restraint and not to press the trigger to stop trespass was seen as a positive development.

The chiefs of both the border forces expressed an identical view that a trespasser be arrested instead of being shot down.

The shooting down of ‘innocent Bangladeshis’ by the BSF has been a common allegation as the Bangladesh media routinely publishes such killings.

At least 52 Bangladeshi civilians have been killed by the BSF in the last 8 months, claimed the BDR.