Protesting the latest border killing, the government of Bangladesh on Wednesday called upon the Indian government to put an end to the recurrence of such heinous acts. Bangladesh also urged India to probe all the border killings, identify those responsible and bring them to justice. BSF kills 33-year-old man at Cumilla border The Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally protested the killing of a Bangladeshi national, Md Kamal Hossain, who hailed from Sadar South upazila in Cumilla district. He was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on October 7, 2024. In the protest note sent to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday, Bangladesh expressed serious concern that, despite repeated commitments from the relevant authorities in India to bring down border killings to ‘zero level’, such incidents by the BSF continue to occur. Another Bangladeshi teen shot dead by BSF along Thakurgaon border The government of Bangladesh stressed that such incidents of border killings are undesirable and unwarranted; and such actions are in violation of the provisions of the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, 1975. The BSF has killed 31 Bangladeshis in 2023, with 28 of these fatalities resulting from gunfire, according to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights organisation. It says the total number of Bangladeshis killed by the BSF from 2009 to 2022 stands at 563.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said killings in a number of points along the long Bangladesh-India border came down to zero level in recent years though problems remain in some points like Lalmonirhat. "We hope it will come down to zero level (in all points)," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, acknowledging that border killing remains an irritant to Bangladesh-India relations. The state minister said there is no lack of willingness on both sides and Bangladesh raised the recent border issues with India through diplomatic channels yesterday (Tuesday). “There is no doubt that this is an irritant to our bilateral ties,” said the State Minister, adding that these incidents embarrassed them and undermine the growing relationship between the countries. The government has conveyed the recent killing of three Bangladeshis by the BSF in separate incidents to the Indian government through diplomatic channels. Read more: Border killings not expected: Shahriar Alam “We did never step back in raising issues in the interest of Bangladesh and its people,” said the State Minister. The State Minister said they see a deviation when it comes to Lalmonirhat and they are trying to understand it. “We will always remain vocal on the issue (border killing).” Even during the recent home minister-level meeting between the two countries in Delhi, both the ministers agreed to take all our efforts to bring down the border killing to zero level, and to stop the use of lethal weapons, he mentioned. “This is also our question: if really there was a situation, which required shooting then why were legs or hands not targeted?” the State Minister questioned. He said there are many achievements brought about by the two countries. Shahriar said there are disruptive forces driven by vested quarters but the two countries will work together to further deepen the relations. Read more: Cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF’ along Lalmonirhat border He also talked about the role of the media in fighting the misinformation. Earlier, leaders of Bangladesh emphasized the importance of effective border management for ensuring a peaceful, stable and crime-free border. Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such deaths of civilians to zero. Surjobarta Media and Communication hosted the seminar titled “Indo-Bangla Unique Friendship in Hasina-Modi Regimes: Role of Media” where bilateral issues including water sharing, border killing, trade and investment and role of media in strengthening the ties were discussed. President of South Asian Forum Against Religious Fundamentalism Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, acting Editor of Daily Samakal Mozammel Hossain Monju, Joint Editor of Daily Prothom Alo Sohrab Hassan, BSS Chief News Editor Samir Kanti Baarua, journalist Dr Ayanjit Sen, Chief Reporter of Daily Desh Rupantar Ummul Wara and Surjobarta Editor Sumi Khan also spoke at the seminar chaired by Prof Omer Selim Sher.

The 5-day director general (DG) level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BSF) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) ended here at BGB headquarters renewing the consensus in bringing down the border killings to zero level. The conference, which began on July 17, ended today (Thursday) with signing a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD). DG BGB Major General Shakil Ahmed was leading 20-member Bangladesh delegation, while his counterpart DG BSF Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh led a 9-member Indian delegation at the talks. Both sides agreed to bring down the killing, injuring and beating unarmed nationals of both countries to zero by adopting extra precautionary measures along the border, such as, increasing Coordinated Patrols specially during the latter part of Night until morning. Also read: BGB-BSF DG-level border conference begins in Dhaka Both sides also agreed to undertake joint efforts to bring down the number of incidents of assault and border crime by intensifying various initiatives like public awareness programmes, undertaking appropriate socio-economic developmental programmes in vulnerable areas, educating border population about the sanctity of IB (international Border) and also agreed to preventing criminals and inhabitants from crossing the IB. Briefing reporters at the BGB headquarters after signing the JRD, BGB DG Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed said that they have both agreed to bring down the border killings to zero with the joint initiatives of the two countries. The BGB chief also said that the issue of border killings was discussed in the meeting very seriously and "we agreed that both sides not only will reduce border killings, but reduce the incidents to zero level." He said the two sides openly discussed all issues related to the border including killings at the border. "We have agreed on everything," he said. Also read: BGB, BGP to work together to step up border security When asked why casualties are not stopped despite agreement reached every year BSF chief Pankaj Kumar Singh said, "we hear the same question every year. Our relationship with Bangladesh is very different and different from western countries. We are constantly discussing the border issue at various levels." Criminals are in both countries. Both countries have good and bad people. The improvement in border killing situation was good last year. This year is getting better. There are good and bad people in every society of the two countries, the DG BSF added. Claiming that relationship between the two border forces are better than before, he also said that the BSF have started using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killings. Meanwhile, the conference highlighted the importance of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) in curbing the menace of smuggling contrabands, such as, various narcotics (especially Yaba), fire arms, FICN, gold etc and both sides agreed to remain cautious and steadfast to stop smuggling through sharing of real time information and also agreed to active anti-smuggling efforts through optimum involvement and pursuance. To enhance mutual understanding and bi-lateral relation between the two friendly forces both sides agreed to resume all activities under the framework of CBMP (Coordinated Border Management Plan) as the COVID situation improves gradually. Finally, both sides agreed to reflect the commitment and decision of the conference at the ground level in true spirit to maintain the peace and tranquility at the border.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has underscored that the killing of Bangladesh nationals by the Indian border security forces continued to remain an irritant despite the goodwill and excellent relations between the two countries. Dr Momen urged Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to take up the matter with all the relevant agencies in India when Shringla met him at his office on Tuesday afternoon. He reiterated his hope over the early signing of the Teesta water-sharing deal and equitable comprehensive water-sharing agreement for other common rivers which, he thinks, may be seen as testimony of ‘Good Neighborhood’. He recalled that the two countries had resolved many of the outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding. Read:Dhaka, Delhi eye unique relationship resolving pending issues The Foreign Minister stressed promoting robust trade and commerce between the two countries for mutual benefit. He also urged the Indian side to take necessary measures in completing the “Swadhinota Sharak” connecting Mujibnagar to Kolkata as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Foreign Minister Momen said India is Bangladesh’s best friend and both sides expressed their satisfaction on the ongoing cooperation and the high-level engagements even in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

BNP standing committee members urged the government to take steps as per international law to stop the unacceptable killing of Bangladeshis along the border by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). At a virtual meeting on Monday, the party’s highest policymaking body also worked out a three-day human-chain programme in Dhaka, Sylhet and Lalmonirhat in protest against border killings, said a press release issued by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. As part of the programmes, he said, their party will hold a human-chain programme at Kaliganj of Lalmonirhat on November 18 and at Kanaighat of Sylhet the following day. The party will also observe a similar programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on November 20 to register their protests against border killings. Also read: Border killings unfortunate for Bangladesh; shameful for India: FM Fakhrul said their meeting strongly protested and expressed anger against the recent killing of Bangladeshis by BSF along the Kaliganj and Kanaighat borders. “The meeting felt that the incidents of gunning down Bangladeshis along the border by India continue due to the government's knee-jerk foreign policy,” he said. The BNP leader said their standing committee criticised the statement of the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh on the border killing issue. “The killing of people by opening fire along the border to stop smuggling can’t be accepted under any circumstances. We call upon the government to take action in accordance with international law.” He said their meeting also condemned widespread violence, killing and rigging and fraudulence in the recently held Union Parishad polls. “The decision to hold local government elections in a partisan manner is an extreme threat to the country's democracy and socio-political stability at the grassroots level,“ the meeting observed. Fakhrul said BNP policymakers think the recent local body polls have proved no election can be held in a fair and credible manner under the Awami League government. They also opined that the electoral system in the country has been destroyed due to the naked interference of the ruling party, the biased role of the administration, and the utter failure of the Election Commission. The meeting urged the government to step down immediately, paving the way for holding a credible national election in the country under a neutral administration. Also read: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul The BNP standing committee meeting also demanded that the prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG be reduced considering public sufferings. BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku joined the virtual meeting chaired by party acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday reiterated that the border killing is a matter of shame for India and unfortunate for Bangladesh as Bangladeshis are losing their lives. “I always say, it’s unfortunate for us and it’s a matter of shame for India… I’ve no other answer to that,” he said while responding to a question at a media briefing at his ministry. Dr Momen said the decision was taken at the level of heads of government and also at various levels that the two countries do not want to see any killing along the Bangladesh-India border and there was a verbal decision that no lethal weapon will be used. “But it happens from time to time.” Also read: India assured Bangladesh of stopping border killing, says Quader

Slamming two ministers for defending widespread border killings by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), BNP on Sunday alleged that the Bangladesh-India border area has turned into a "horrific killing ground in South Asia".

Voicing deep concern over the recent killings of Bangladeshis by Indian Border Security Force (BSF), BNP has decided to register protests on December 21 across the country against the border killings.

BNP on Sunday alleged that the government has been playing the role of a “silent spectator” over the killing of Bangladeshis “by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) due to its knee-jerk policy”.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) continues its all-out efforts while the government is taking necessary measures at the diplomatic level to stop the killing of Bangladeshi nationals by Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the border.