Dhaka ups concern over growing casualty in BSF firing in northeast
The Joint Working Group also took up the issue of some top insurgent leaders who have taken shelter across the border
Guwahati: The Bangladesh government has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of casualties in Border Security Force firings at the India-Bangladesh border, particularly during the wee hours, in the northeastern states.
In an attempt at taking control of the situation, the aforementioned issue was deliberated in a home secretary level meeting of Joint Working Group in Dhaka, security sources said.
The Joint Working Group has shown serious concern over the issue and has suggested that Border Guards of Bangladesh should also start off with imposing night curfew at the international border in order to curb the number of casualties and trans border crimes.
Taking note of the increasing trans-border crimes, security sources said that the Joint Working Group also took up the issue of some top insurgent leaders who have taken shelter across the border.
Pointing out that Dhaka has handed over at least 17 prominent insurgent leaders to India and 11 others who have surrendered since 2001, the Joint Working Group also informed its counterpart in Dhaka that a top Ulfa leader Drishti Rajkhowa and top the leadership of GNLF, NLFT are still taking shelter in Bangladesh, said security sources.
Further, another major area of concern has been the smuggling of psychotropic drugs and fake currency; security sources said that India has assured its counterpart to explore the possibility of banning the sale of psychotropic drugs in a range of 50 km along the international border with Bangladesh.
As far as the Indian fake currency menace is concerned, the authorities in Bangladesh have assured its pro-active support, security sources said. Bangladesh has seized and destroyed a huge number of fake currencies in a bid to end the menace.
Besides, the two countries have also agreed to take back citizens who trespass the international border without any valid documents.
The Joint working Group also brought to light the lackadaisical attitude borne by Bangladesh in verifying the identity of the alleged trespassers, security sources said.