Editorial
BSF chief's statement regrettable
An authentic clarification called for
We recall the Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram's emphatic assurances on a visit to Dhaka in July last that 'under no circumstances' would the Indian border security forces fire upon anyone trying to cross from Bangladesh to India. He even added, "The message has gone down to the last jawan." Against such a backdrop, we are appalled by the BSF chief's observations to the BBC on January 7, 2012 that it is not possible for them to stop firing at the border. Seeing the deliberate nature of his comment, we cannot but be shocked and surprised. We wonder how a border security chief who works under the home ministry could make such a statement that runs counter to the spirit and letter of the assurances given by his minister. We are confused and perturbed at this disconnect between the Indian home ministry and its subordinate apparatus, the BSF.
True, we have a porous and long border with India and there can be exigency at times. Surely there are ways to address it through means other than a recourse to shooting. But if no less than a person like the BSF chief makes a remark like that, then what could perhaps stop the BSF men from being trigger-happy? Actually, it is the attitude of the BSF chief that is patently regrettable.
We expected that after the disturbing footage of torture on a Bangladeshi youth recently released by an Indian TV channel, BSF would be more circumspect. But unfortunately, even after that some Bangladeshis have been shot at by BSF men.
The BSF does not seem to be realizing the negative impact such shooting incidents have on Bangladesh's trust in friendly bilateral relations. At the political level, there may be a realization but that is hardly reflected on the ground. It is a question of respect for human rights, norms of inter-state relations and above all, goodwill between neighbourly states.
In view of the mismatch between assurances from the Indian government level and the attitude of the BSF, we think an authentic clarification from the Indian government will be in order. In fact, it is most desirable to remove further misgivings on the subject; for, each border killing veers us away from good neighbourly relationship that has to be based on trust at all levels.
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