Dhaka-Delhi Meet Begins Today
Killing by BSF to top agenda
Killing of innocent people by BSF, security, demarcation of border, construction of military ware in the international border, simplifying of visa and a host of issues will figure at the three high official level meetings of Bangladesh and India begins today.
Official sources said Dhaka would host a two-day bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) and Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) of the two countries simultaneously on January 18-19, and crucial home secretary-level meeting on January 19-20. Another meeting on the department of narcotics control was merged with the above two meetings.
The joint secretaries of the two countries will lead the JWG and JBWG meetings and the heads of the department of narcotics control of the Bangladesh and India will lead the meeting on combating drug smuggling.
Joint Secretary (Political) Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed will lead 12-member Bangladesh team comprises by officials of different line ministries while Indian Joint Secretary Shambhu Singh will lead a 10-member team at the JWG and JBWG meetings.
Bangladesh Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Shikdar will lead a 15-member delegation while his Indian counterpart GK Pillai will lead a 13-member team at the crucial 11th home secretary-level meeting to discuss entire range of border related issues for taking final decision in light of the decisions to be taken at the JWG and JBWG meetings.
Bangladesh will put up a host of 11-point agenda at the JWG and JBWG meetings, which includes incidents of firing in the border; action against fundamentalists, militants and insurgent groups involving border terrorists activities; review of action taken to check smuggling of arms, ammunition and explosives, drugs, fake currency notes; construction of border fence within 150 yards of the international border; measures to check cross border movement; capacity building of law enforcing agencies; enhancement of cooperation between enforcement authorities that is BGB and BSF; passenger train; construction of flyover by India at Tin Bigha Corridor and consular access/ visa problems.
Bangladesh's agenda at the home secretary-level meeting include ratification of Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement 1974 by India; demarcation of 6.5 un-demarcated border (1.5km at Doykhata under Nilphamari district, 2km at Muhurir Char at Feni and 3km at Lathitila in Moulvibazar); incidences of firing by BSF in the border; signing of Boundary Strip Map, construction of military ware obstacles within 150 yards of the international border; activities of different nodal points such as human trafficking, anti-terrorism and drug; sharing of information regarding arrest of wanted persons in other country, sentenced persons in other country's jail; and cooperation between BGB and BSF.
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