BSF to use non-lethal weapons on borders
The Border Security Force (BSF) of India will use non-lethal weapons, alongside the regular ones, at some border points on a trial basis in a bid to stop killings of Bangladeshis.
And if the trial proves successful, it will use non-lethal weapons at the entire border area with Bangladesh, said a press release of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) yesterday.
The release, however, did not mention when the use of non-lethal weapons will start.
The decision came after the BGB director general (DG) expressed his concern at the DG-level meeting of the two forces over the killings of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF along the border.
The BGB DG also urged the BSF to abide by international border law, adds the press release, the first of its kind after a DG-level meeting between the two forces.
During the six-day talks in the Indian capital New Delhi that ended on Sunday, the border force authorities of both the countries agreed to hold weekly meetings in order to stop damaging border fences by traffickers and smugglers.
The two sides also agreed to complete a joint census of enclaves in the two countries as early as possible.
According to the press release, both sides will maintain a status quo on the controversially occupied land along the border.
In addition, neither side will undertake any development work within 150 yards of the zero point without informing its counterpart. In order to boost confidence, the two forces will hold a retreat ceremony.
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