Dhaka: The border forces of India and Bangladesh on Thursday agreed to strengthen joint patrols, particularly at night, to reduce the number of killings, injuries, and beatings of unarmed citizens of both countries to zero.
This was one of the main decisions taken at a five-day long 52nd border conference of the BGB-BSF led by their Director Generals. They signed a joint negotiation document.
The nine-member Indian delegation included representatives of the ministries of Home and External Affairs. BSF Director General Pankaj Kumar Singh participated in the conference.
BGB Director General Major General Sakil Ahmed led a 20-member Bangladesh delegation.
The two forces agreed to take additional precautionary measures, strengthen public awareness programs and take awareness activities about the rules of international border law among the citizens living in the border areas.
They also agreed to take steps to curb the smuggling of various contraband goods such as drugs and narcotics smuggling, firearms, counterfeit currency, and gold smuggling.
Both sides agreed to speedily settle barbed wire fence construction within 150 yards of the border at approved locations.
