ঢাকা, সেপ্টেম্বর ৩০ (বিডিনিউজ টোয়েন্টিফোর ডটকম)- সীমান্তে বাংলাদেশি হত্যা পুরোপুরি বন্ধে কার্যকর পদক্ষেপ নেওয়ার আহ্বান জানিয়ে এতে ভারতীয় কর্তৃপক্ষের আশ্বাস পেয়েছেন বিজিবিপ্রধান মেজর জেনারেল আনোয়ার হোসেন।
ঢাকায় বাংলাদেশ-ভারত সীমান্ত সম্মেলনের পর শুক্রবার যৌথ সংবাদ সম্মেলনে বর্ডার গার্ড বাংলাদেশের মহাপরিচালক আনোয়ার বলেন, সীমান্তে হত্যার ঘটনা অগ্রহণযোগ্য এবং তা দুই দেশের সুসম্পর্ক নষ্ট করছে।
ভারতীয় সীমান্ত রক্ষী বাহিনী- বিএসএফের মহাপরিচালক রমন শ্রীবাস্তব সীমান্তে হত্যার ঘটনা কমে আসার তথ্য তুলে ধরে বলেন, "আমরা এটা শূন্যের পর্যায়ে নামিয়ে আনতে চাই।"
সোমবার থেকে শুরু হওয়া বিজিবি-বিএসএফ মহাপরিচালক পর্যায়ে সম্মেলনে উভয় দেশের সীমান্ত রক্ষী বাহিনীর প্রধান নিজ নিজ দেশের পক্ষে নেতৃত্ব দেন।
সীমান্তে হত্যার বিষয়ে বিজিবি মহাপরিচালক বলেন, "এ কারণে দুদেশের মধ্যে উত্তেজনা ছিলো, তবে স¤প্রতি দুদেশের প্রধানমন্ত্রীদের মধ্যে আলোচনার পর তা কমে এসেছে।"
"আমরা আন্তর্জাতিক রীতি মেনে চলি এবং কোনো ভারতীয় অবৈধভাবে সীমান্ত পার হলে আমরা তার ওপর গুলি চালাই না, শুধু গ্রেপ্তার করি," সীমান্তে নিজেদের সহনীয় আচরণ তুলে ধরে তা বিএসএফকেও অনুসরণ করতে বলেন বিজিবিপ্রধান।
বর্ডার সিকিউরিটি ফোর্স-বিএসএফের মহাপরিচালক রমন শ্রীবাস্তব সীমান্তে হত্যাকাণ্ডের জন্য দুঃখ প্রকাশ করেন।
তিনি বলেন, "হত্যার উদ্দেশ্য আমাদের নেই এবং এটা উল্লেখযোগ্য হারে কমে এসেছে।"
২০০৯ সালে সীমান্তে নিহতের সংখ্যা ৫৫ হলেও ২০১১ সালে এ সংখ্যা সাত জনে নেমে এসেছে জানিয়ে তিনি বলেন, "আমি আবারো বলছি, আমরা এটি শূন্যের পর্যায়ে নামিয়ে আনতে চাই।"
বিএসএফপ্রধান জানান, নিজেদের সংযত করতে ইতোমধ্যেই অনেক এলাকায় প্রাণঘাতী নয়, এমন অস্ত্র ব্যবহার শুরু করেছে বিএসএফ।
সংবাদ সম্মেলনে সীমান্ত পরিস্থিতি বিষয়ে একটি বিস্তারিত পরিসংখ্যান তুলে ধরেন বিএসএফপ্রধান রমন শ্রীবাস্তব।
তিনি জানান, ২০০৯ সালে ৫৫ বাংলাদেশিকে হত্যা করে বিএসএফ। ২০১০ সালে সংখ্যাটি ছিলো ৩২ জন। তবে চলতি বছরে সীমান্তে হত্যাকাণ্ডের সংখ্যা সাত।
তিনি দাবি করেন, ২০০৯ সালে অবৈধভাবে সীমান্ত পার করার সময় ৩৭ ভারতীয় এবং ২০১০ সালে ২৩ ভারতীয়কেও হত্যা করে বিএসএফ। তবে ২০১১ সালে এ সংখ্যাটিও পাঁচ জনে নেমে আসে।
রমন জানান, এছাড়া অপরাধীদের হাতে ২০০৯ সালে ১১ বিএসএফ সদস্য আহত হয়। ২০১০ সালে এ সংখ্যা বেড়ে ৫৭-তে দাঁড়ায়। ২০১১ সালে অপরাধীদের হাতে এক বিএসএফ সদস্য নিহতসহ ৭৭ সদস্য আহত হয়।
তিনি আরো বলেন, ২০০৯ সালে ৬৮৫ বাংলাদেশিকে গ্রেপ্তার করে বিএসএফ। ২০১০ সালে ১ হাজার ৬৩৮ জনকে এবং ২০১১ সালে ২ হাজার ৩০০ বাংলাদেশিকে গ্রেপ্তার করা হয়।
এছাড়া ২০০৮ সালে সীমান্তের বেড়া কাটার ঘটনা ঘটে ৩৩৩টি, ২০০৯ সালে ৫৬৬টি. ২০১০ সালে ৯২৪টি এবং ২০১১ সালে ৬৩৮টি।
বিডিনিউজ টোয়েন্টিফোর ডটকম/এসএসজেড/কিউএইচ/এমআই/১৪০০ ঘ.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
BGB, rights bodies contradict BSF claim
In contrast to counts in Bangladesh, the director general of Indian Border Security Force yesterday claimed BSF personnel have killed only seven Bangladeshis along the border so far this year.
Border Guard Bangladesh puts the number at 27 and rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) at 29.
BSF Director General Raman Srivastava, however, assured his Bangladesh counterpart of bringing down the number to zero.
He was briefing journalists at the BGB headquarters at Pilkhana in Dhaka at the end of a six-day conference between the two border forces.
A top BGB official termed “unrealistic” the number given by the BSF chief.
“Till September this year, 27 Bangladeshi civilians have been killed and 17 injured by BSF,” the official told The Daily Star, requesting anonymity.
According to ASK, 13 of the 29 killed by BSF men in January-September were physically tortured. During the period, 53 other Bangladeshis were wounded by the border force.
Odhikar, another human rights group, said BSF killed 27 Bangladeshis between January and August this year. The number was 74 last year and 98 the previous year, according to a report prepared by the group.
But the BSF chief said 32 Bangladeshi nationals were killed in 2010 and 55 in 2009.
According to BGB sources, the numbers are 60 and 67.
“Incidents of killing in border areas are decreasing gradually. We assure you that incidents of border killing will be lessened to zero as we want friendly relations,” Srivastava told the briefing.
Replying to a query, he said, “What you call border killings are not killings, those are deaths. And we're also sorry for that.
“BSF personnel have stopped using bullets at maximum level. Non-lethal weapons are being used now.”
He added that some killings are the result of self-defence on the part of BSF.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of incidents of cutting barbed wire fence on the border, he said, “Incidents of fence cutting occurred at 333 places in 2008, 556 places in 2009, 924 places in 2010 and at 637 places till September this year.”
Meeting sources said India submitted separate lists of the Indian terrorists, smugglers and currency counterfeiters active in Bangladesh.
Maj Gen Anwar Hussain, director general of BGB, assured his Indian counterpart that his force will not let criminals use Bangladesh land.
Both the chiefs said they agreed to launch a joint border management after October 31 in line with an agreement signed during Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram's visit to Dhaka in July this year.
The joint management is aimed at resolving all outstanding border issues including combating cross-border crimes and enhancing quality of border management as well as to ensure cross-border security.
The BGB chief said his personnel do not shoot anyone in border areas; they rather arrest and hand over the suspects to BSF. “BGB abides by all international rules, and we want BSF to do the same,” said Anwar.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
BSF pledges to stop killing of innocents : DG-level meeting with BGB begins
A director-general-level meeting of the border guards of India and Bangladesh began yesterday amidst high hopes for resolution of common boundary-related problems.
Meanwhile, Raman Srivastava, the visiting Indian Border Security Force (BSF) director general, met Home Minister Shahara Khatun at her office in the Secretariat and promised that no more killing of innocent Bangladeshis will occur in the border areas, Shahara told reporters.
The BSF director general and his counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director GeneralMaj Gen Anwar Hussain raised boundary issues of their concern yesterday on the inaugural day of the six-day-long conference at the BGB headquarters in the city's Pilkhana.
Anwar Hussain urged Srivastava to stop killing of unarmed Bangladeshis by the Indian force.
He also placed eight other issues including arrest and kidnapping of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF and Indians, border violation, illegal border crossing, and intrusion into Bangladesh territory by BSF and Indian citizens.
The BGB director general demanded that smuggling of various types of drugs be stopped from India to Bangladesh.
The BSF chief also raised the issue of trans-border crimes committed by Bangladeshi people in Indian territory.
BGB top officials demanded stopping of construction of military wire obstacles by the Indian authority within 150 yards of land boundary.
On the first day of the conference, both sides stressed the need for taking confidence building measures, BGB sources told The Daily Star.
During the talks, the Indian side claimed that Indian insurgent groups are active in Bangladesh, which was outright rejected by Bangladesh, meeting sources said.
Meanwhile, Raman Srivastava, the visiting Indian Border Security Force (BSF) director general, met Home Minister Shahara Khatun at her office in the Secretariat and promised that no more killing of innocent Bangladeshis will occur in the border areas, Shahara told reporters.
The BSF director general and his counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director GeneralMaj Gen Anwar Hussain raised boundary issues of their concern yesterday on the inaugural day of the six-day-long conference at the BGB headquarters in the city's Pilkhana.
Anwar Hussain urged Srivastava to stop killing of unarmed Bangladeshis by the Indian force.
He also placed eight other issues including arrest and kidnapping of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF and Indians, border violation, illegal border crossing, and intrusion into Bangladesh territory by BSF and Indian citizens.
The BGB director general demanded that smuggling of various types of drugs be stopped from India to Bangladesh.
The BSF chief also raised the issue of trans-border crimes committed by Bangladeshi people in Indian territory.
BGB top officials demanded stopping of construction of military wire obstacles by the Indian authority within 150 yards of land boundary.
On the first day of the conference, both sides stressed the need for taking confidence building measures, BGB sources told The Daily Star.
During the talks, the Indian side claimed that Indian insurgent groups are active in Bangladesh, which was outright rejected by Bangladesh, meeting sources said.
Monday, 26 September 2011
Border killing high on agenda
BGB-BSF meet starts today
Bangladesh will reiterate its concern over the killings of civilians along its border with India during the director-general level meeting of the border guards of India and Bangladesh in Dhaka today.
Countering terror and effective joint patrolling along the frontier will also be high on the agenda.
The six-day talks between Border Security Force of India and Border Guard Bangladesh will be held in Pilkhana headquarters of BGB.
A 21-member delegation led by BSF Director General Raman Srivastava reached Dhaka yesterday to meet his counterpart Maj Gen Anwar Hussain.
Talking to The Daily Star, Col Hafizur Rahman of BGB said apart from the boarder killing issue, the BGB delegates will raise the issues of women, children and drug trafficking and illegal border crossings.
“The Bangladesh side will also stress the need for confidence building between the two sides and implementation of a coordinated border management plan,” Col Hafizur added.
The two sides are expected to hand over lists of militant hideouts in their respective regions, the official said. A joint memorandum will also be signed on the last day of the talks, September 30.
BSF and BGB man the 4,096km border between the two countries.
Bangladesh has repeatedly voiced concern over the killings of its nationals by BSF which, however, argues that they have no option but to open fire to stop criminals who do not listen to their verbal warnings.
BSF recently promised not to use lethal weapons along the border. However, Bangladeshi nationals continue to die in the hands of BSF.
The recent visit of the Indian premier to Dhaka has created new hope in resolving unsettled border issues as the chiefs of the two countries already signed agreements on the historic land boundary demarcation and exchange of adversely-possessed enclaves.
Asked about items on the Indian agenda, Col Hafizur said BSF will raise the issue of attack on BSF personnel by Bangladeshi people. BSF will also give importance to confidence building between the border guards of the two countries.
Our New Delhi correspondent adds: The two sides are expected to take stock of their recent joint decision to deploy non-lethal weapons along the border and granting of 24-hour unfettered access to Bangladeshi nationals in the Tin Bigha corridor connecting Dahagram and Angapota enclaves.
The last director general-level talks between the forces were held in Delhi in March this year.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
BSF told to hold fire
Chidambaram speaks of Delhi's firm instruction to border guards; deal signed to fight cross-border crimes together
Diplomatic Correspondent
India yesterday said it has ordered its Border Security Force not to shoot anyone crossing Indo-Bangla border no matter what the circumstances are.
Visiting Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said this at a joint press conference with his Bangladesh counterpart Shahara Khatun.
“Let me make it very clear…we have issued strict instructions to our border security forces that under no circumstances should they fire upon anyone trying to cross from either Bangladesh to India or India to Bangladesh. The message has gone down to the last jawan,” Chidambaram said.
"The only situation in which we have said firing may be justified is when a gang actually attacks a BSF jawan or an office. Then he has to protect himself and fire in self-defence,” he added.
The Indian minister who arrived in Dhaka on Friday night for a one-day visit also claimed that the number of people getting killed at the borders has come down to seven this year, which was 33 last year.
However, according to Bangladeshi human rights body Odhikar, BSF killed 17 Bangladeshis and wounded 49 others between January and June. Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), another rights group, said 14 people were killed during the same period.
Yesterday's joint press conference was held after a meeting between Chidambaram and Shahara at the home ministry.
During the meeting that lasted one and a half hours, the two countries signed "Bangladesh and India Coordinated Border Management Plan" to stop cross-border crimes like smuggling of drugs and trafficking of women and children.
At the press conference, they expressed optimism that the issues of 6.5km border demarcation, transfer of enclaves, exclaves and adversely possessed land would be resolved before Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Dhaka on September 6-7.
The Indian home minister said headcounts at the 162 enclaves and exclaves have just been completed and the total population living in those is 51,000. Of them, 34,000 Indians and 17,000 Bangladeshis are living in Indian enclaves and exclaves. Many enclaves and exclaves are unpopulated.
Asked if the inhabitants would be given choice in taking citizenship, he said their fate will be decided by the two prime ministers when they meet in Dhaka.
Chidambaram said the issue of adversely possessed land has almost been resolved apart from one or two points that need to be worked out. He said the Joint Boundary Working Group is working on the un-demarcated 6.5km of border.
Shahara told the media that Bangladesh has sought India's cooperation in the search for two fugitive Bangabandhu killers--Majed and Moslehuddin.
Chidambaram said they may be in India and the Indian government will “leave no stone unturned to apprehend the convicts”. He, however, said India needs more information and intelligence from Bangladesh in this regard.
About the Indian Phensidyl factories along the border, the Bangladesh home minister said those factories have been closed. Phensidyl, a cough syrup, is banned in Bangladesh for its widespread abuse.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to cooperate in the field of security and expressed their resolve to jointly combat the menace of insurgency, militancy and terrorism.
The 17-member Bangladesh team included State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq A Karim, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar, Land Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman, Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmood Khandaker, Border Guard Bangladesh Director General Major Gen Anwar Hussain.
The Indian delegation included Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter, BSF Director General Raman Srivastava, Joint Secretaries Kamal Kanti Mittal, Shambhu Singh, Indian Deputy High Commissioner Sanjay Bhattacharyya and Inspector General (G) BSF SK Mishra, and External Affairs Ministry Director Deepak Mittal.
Before leaving Dhaka last night, the Indian minister met Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Diplomatic Correspondent
India yesterday said it has ordered its Border Security Force not to shoot anyone crossing Indo-Bangla border no matter what the circumstances are.
Visiting Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said this at a joint press conference with his Bangladesh counterpart Shahara Khatun.
“Let me make it very clear…we have issued strict instructions to our border security forces that under no circumstances should they fire upon anyone trying to cross from either Bangladesh to India or India to Bangladesh. The message has gone down to the last jawan,” Chidambaram said.
"The only situation in which we have said firing may be justified is when a gang actually attacks a BSF jawan or an office. Then he has to protect himself and fire in self-defence,” he added.
The Indian minister who arrived in Dhaka on Friday night for a one-day visit also claimed that the number of people getting killed at the borders has come down to seven this year, which was 33 last year.
However, according to Bangladeshi human rights body Odhikar, BSF killed 17 Bangladeshis and wounded 49 others between January and June. Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), another rights group, said 14 people were killed during the same period.
Yesterday's joint press conference was held after a meeting between Chidambaram and Shahara at the home ministry.
During the meeting that lasted one and a half hours, the two countries signed "Bangladesh and India Coordinated Border Management Plan" to stop cross-border crimes like smuggling of drugs and trafficking of women and children.
At the press conference, they expressed optimism that the issues of 6.5km border demarcation, transfer of enclaves, exclaves and adversely possessed land would be resolved before Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Dhaka on September 6-7.
The Indian home minister said headcounts at the 162 enclaves and exclaves have just been completed and the total population living in those is 51,000. Of them, 34,000 Indians and 17,000 Bangladeshis are living in Indian enclaves and exclaves. Many enclaves and exclaves are unpopulated.
Asked if the inhabitants would be given choice in taking citizenship, he said their fate will be decided by the two prime ministers when they meet in Dhaka.
Chidambaram said the issue of adversely possessed land has almost been resolved apart from one or two points that need to be worked out. He said the Joint Boundary Working Group is working on the un-demarcated 6.5km of border.
Shahara told the media that Bangladesh has sought India's cooperation in the search for two fugitive Bangabandhu killers--Majed and Moslehuddin.
Chidambaram said they may be in India and the Indian government will “leave no stone unturned to apprehend the convicts”. He, however, said India needs more information and intelligence from Bangladesh in this regard.
About the Indian Phensidyl factories along the border, the Bangladesh home minister said those factories have been closed. Phensidyl, a cough syrup, is banned in Bangladesh for its widespread abuse.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to cooperate in the field of security and expressed their resolve to jointly combat the menace of insurgency, militancy and terrorism.
The 17-member Bangladesh team included State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq A Karim, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar, Land Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman, Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmood Khandaker, Border Guard Bangladesh Director General Major Gen Anwar Hussain.
The Indian delegation included Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter, BSF Director General Raman Srivastava, Joint Secretaries Kamal Kanti Mittal, Shambhu Singh, Indian Deputy High Commissioner Sanjay Bhattacharyya and Inspector General (G) BSF SK Mishra, and External Affairs Ministry Director Deepak Mittal.
Before leaving Dhaka last night, the Indian minister met Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
End BSF firing along borders
Dipu Moni urges India
Diplomatic Correspondent
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday urged India to take effective steps to put a complete stop of frequent incidents of firing by BSF on innocent and unarmed Bangladeshi nationals.
She made the request when visiting Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram paid a call on her at her office yesterday afternoon, said a press release.
Dipu Moni reiterated the unequivocal position of the government against terrorism and assured that Bangladesh would continue its cooperation with India in this regard.
She noted that the two countries must strengthen efforts to stop criminal activities along the border, particularly drugs smuggling and human trafficking.
Dipu Moni also expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of security, border management and the work to resolve the long pending issue of demarcation of the land boundary and its related issues.
Diplomatic Correspondent
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday urged India to take effective steps to put a complete stop of frequent incidents of firing by BSF on innocent and unarmed Bangladeshi nationals.
She made the request when visiting Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram paid a call on her at her office yesterday afternoon, said a press release.
Dipu Moni reiterated the unequivocal position of the government against terrorism and assured that Bangladesh would continue its cooperation with India in this regard.
She noted that the two countries must strengthen efforts to stop criminal activities along the border, particularly drugs smuggling and human trafficking.
Dipu Moni also expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of security, border management and the work to resolve the long pending issue of demarcation of the land boundary and its related issues.
Friday, 1 July 2011
Bangladeshi beaten to death by BSF
Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat
A Bangladeshi cattle trader was beaten to death allegedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Burimari border under Patgram upazila yesterday.
Patgram police recovered the body of the deceased from the Saniyazan River in the morning.
The victim was identified as Mizanur Rahman,25, son of Fazlul Haque of Bamondol village near Burimari border.
Quoting family sources, OC of Patgram PS Murshidul Karim said Mizanur Rahman was caught by BSF men of Changrabandha while he along with four others were bringing cattle from India through Burimari border.
Mizanur was tortured severely. When he died the BSF men threw his body into Saniyazan River, he said.
Mizanur's father said that his son and a few other locals went to India to bring cattle on Wednesday. "My son was tortured to death by BSF yesterday morning,” he said.
However, Burimari BGB camp commander Subedar Baset Miah said, he had no information of torturing any Bangladeshi to death by BSF.
Police sent the body to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy yesterday.
A Bangladeshi cattle trader was beaten to death allegedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Burimari border under Patgram upazila yesterday.
Patgram police recovered the body of the deceased from the Saniyazan River in the morning.
The victim was identified as Mizanur Rahman,25, son of Fazlul Haque of Bamondol village near Burimari border.
Quoting family sources, OC of Patgram PS Murshidul Karim said Mizanur Rahman was caught by BSF men of Changrabandha while he along with four others were bringing cattle from India through Burimari border.
Mizanur was tortured severely. When he died the BSF men threw his body into Saniyazan River, he said.
Mizanur's father said that his son and a few other locals went to India to bring cattle on Wednesday. "My son was tortured to death by BSF yesterday morning,” he said.
However, Burimari BGB camp commander Subedar Baset Miah said, he had no information of torturing any Bangladeshi to death by BSF.
Police sent the body to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy yesterday.
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