Meeting with BSF
BGB to raise border killing, drug issues
Bangladesh will demand that Indian Border Security Force use non-lethal weapons and dismantle illegal factories of Phensedyl, a cough syrup banned in Bangladesh, along the Indian border.
The demand will be made at a director general-level conference between Border Guard Bangladesh and BSF in the capital. The conference will start today and end on September 28.
BGB chief Maj Gen Anwar Hossain said a 22-member BSF team led by its chief UK Bansal arrived here yesterday.
A person cannot be shot dead on sight along the border for whatever reason, said he, adding that BSF has already started using such weapons at some points.
"We will urge BSF to arrest Bangladeshi nationals crossing the border illegally and hand them over to Indian law enforcers instead of killing them," he said.
"We have prepared a list of over 70 Phensedyl [banned for widespread abuse] factories in the Indian territory and will give the list to the BSF chief, urging him to dismantle them," he added.
BSF will raise the issue of trafficking in fake Indian currency across the border, trespassing and an alleged attack on some BSF men by criminals, a BGB source said.
Other issues, including kidnapping of Bangladeshis, checking smuggling of Phensedyl, cannabis and other narcotics, will also be discussed at the conference.
BGB will discuss the issue of halting erection of a military development structure within 150 yards of the border.
BGB chief Maj Gen Anwar Hussain will lead the 25-member Bangladesh delegation at the conference.
Thirty-one Bangladeshi nationals were killed last year allegedly by BSF, said Odhikar, a rights body.
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