Editorial
India mulling 'no firing' option
Should be implemented immediately
THE Indian Home Secretary's statement, given at a seminar in New Delhi on March 19, that India is considering a unilateral no- firing option at the borders with Bangladesh for a year, is welcome news. We felicitate it as a potential positive gesture that we would like to see happen.
It can really do wonders in improving the relations between the two countries that often came under a cloud of suspicion and tension due to unilateral border killings that ran counter to professed cordiality and understanding at the highest political levels. The second point made by the Indian Home Secretary is equally important as formation of a joint task force with the mandate to settle border disputes as suggested by him should go a long way in keeping the borders peaceful in the coming years. It is really surprising that only 6.1km of more than 4,000km borders between the two countries is still disputed -- thanks to lack of demarcation of the area. It is evident that the problem can be resolved without wasting any more time if the two sides work sincerely with a view to putting an end to the long standing disputes which cannot serve any purpose other than creating tension and misunderstanding between the two neighbours. If the plan of settling the disputes through a task force by the year end or early next year is implemented within the time-frame suggested by the Indian home secretary, there will be perceptible improvement in the border situation.
That the Indians have decided to address the issue of border killing is indeed an indication of sagacity that it is in the interest of both countries to leave behind the sensitive matter once and for all.
Most killing incidents reportedly take place at night. The BDR chief, while attending the Indo-Bangla conference at Delhi, said that we would strengthen vigil on our side of the border. People's awareness can be raised through using microphones in the border areas to tell them what they should refrain from is nocturnal movements. The possibility of clamping a ban may be considered, too. Indian authorities could also take similar steps on their side of the border.
A peaceful border has to be viewed as the cornerstone of good bilateral ties and this should be the guiding principle of border management between two close neighbours.
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