DHAKA: Bangladesh's foreign affairs ministry summoned high commissioner Pranay Verma to send its message to New Delhi to advise all relevant authorities in India to refrain from any "provocative actions" that could escalate tensions along the shared border between the two countries.
During the meeting at his office, foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin conveyed Bangladesh's "deep concern" to Verma over the "recent activities" of the BSF, particularly the "unauthorised" attempt to construct barbed wire fencing at several places along the border and the related operational actions. These have caused tensions and disturbances along the border, he said.
After the meeting that lasted over half an hour, high commissioner said, "I just met the foreign secretary to discuss India's commitment to ensuring a crime-free border, effectively addressing challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been in communication in this regard."
The foreign secretary, however, said construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. He hoped that the BGB-BSF DG level talks in Feb would be able to discuss the matter at length.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's home affairs adviser Lt Gen (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday claimed that India stopped the construction of barbed wire fences five places along the border following the "strong stance" taken by the BGB and local residents.
He said it has been decided to issue a letter to cancel the "unequal agreements" on border fencing made during the previous Sheikh Hasina government.
Foreign secretary Jashim Uddin, referring to the recent killing of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj by BSF, expressed deep concern and disappointment over such repetition of border killings. He called for urgent action by Indian authorities to stop recurrence of such incidents and conduct enquiries into all these border killings and take actions against those responsible.
He mentioned that it is also a matter of grave concern that despite repeated firm commitments from Indian authorities to pursue non-lethal strategy and stop killings such incidents of killing have been continuing.