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Dhaka     Tuesday   18 February 2025

Bangladesh’s ‘tone’ would be different in border conference: Home adviser

Senior Reporter || risingbd.com

Published: 14:52, 29 January 2025   Update: 15:29, 29 January 2025
Bangladesh’s ‘tone’ would be different in border conference: Home adviser

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said Bangladesh’s ‘tone’ would be different in the upcoming border conference.

He made this statement in response to a question from journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday (January 29) after a meeting on the agenda of the BGB-BSF Director General-level conference with India.

The 55th BGB-BSF talks are scheduled during 17-20 February in New Delhi, India.

Jahangir said a number of Indian actions undermining Bangladeshi sovereignty, including border killings and unfair deals signed during the Awami League autocratic regime, will be discussed in the talks.

He said any activity within 150 yards of the border requires mutual approval from both sides.

The adviser added that if a mosque or temple is to be built for development purposes, the consent of both countries is necessary. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that such consent is obtained in the future, he mentioned.

He said discussions will be held regarding stopping border killings, shooting at unarmed Bangladeshi citizens at the border, and preventing injuries caused by the BSF or Indian criminals.

The conference will also address the issue of the BSF or Indian nationals abducting or detaining Bangladeshi citizens, the adviser added.

“Measures to curb border violations, illegal crossings, or infiltrations by the BSF or Indian nationals will be given an emphasis. Additionally, preventing the smuggling of illegal drugs like yaba and Phensedyl, weapons, ammunition, and explosives from India into Bangladesh will be a priority.”

Besides, discussions will be held on installing water treatment plants in four canals where wastewater flows from Agartala toward Akhaura, Jahangir said.

The adviser also mentioned that issues such as equitable distribution of water in rivers along the Bangladesh-India border, water extraction from rivers, implementation of water agreements, and reopening the mouth of the Rahimpur canal will be discussed.

Dhaka/Naymuddin/AI