Dhaka, Feb 16 (V7N) – Bangladesh will strongly emphasize ending border killings at the upcoming four-day BGB-BSF conference in Delhi, set to take place from Monday (February 17) to Thursday (February 20). The agenda includes discussions on border security, peace restoration, and river dam construction, while India is expected to focus on border fencing.

The urgency of the issue has intensified following an incident at the Phulbari border in Kurigram on Friday afternoon, where BSF personnel allegedly crossed into Bangladesh and attacked four Bangladeshis. The locals chased the BSF personnel away, forcing them to retreat.

Similar tensions have been reported along various parts of the 4,096-kilometer Bangladesh-India border, particularly in Chapainawabganj and Lalmonirhat. Since August 5, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been actively standing against BSF incursions, with local residents supporting their efforts.

Despite having the fifth-longest border in the world, the Bangladesh-India border is notorious for frequent border killings, with the majority of victims being Bangladeshi nationals. Past governments were often criticized for not taking a strong stance, but the current interim administration is voicing firm opposition to these incidents.

  • Bangladesh's Priorities:

    • Ending border killings and preventing BSF aggression.
    • Constructing dams on inter-state rivers to prevent flooding and erosion.
    • Addressing waste management issues affecting Feni district due to waste disposal from India’s Tripura region.

  • India’s Expected Proposals:

    • Border fencing to control illegal crossings and smuggling.
    • Managing border tensions through better coordination.
    • Improving border infrastructure to ensure smoother operations.

Experts believe that Bangladesh will strongly present its stance at the meeting, focusing on protecting its citizens and ensuring peace along the border. The outcome of this high-level dialogue is expected to set the course for future border policies between the two neighboring nations.

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