A four-day meeting between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) concluded in Kolkata on Sunday.
Several major issues including measures to curb trans-border crime including unwanted loss of life, smuggling of cattle, drugs and narcotics were discussed at the meeting.
Smuggling of arms and ammunition and gold were also deliberated upon during the Border Co-ordination Conference between Inspectors’ General of BSF and Region Commanders’ of the BGB, officials informed the media.
The BSF delegation was led by Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, inspector general, South Bengal Frontier.
While Md Jalal Ghani Khan, additional director general, Region Commander, South West Region, Jashore, was the head of the Bangladesh team.
Khurania was quoted as saying the aim of the conference was to improve mutual co-operation and understanding between both the border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh.
He was also quoted as saying that it was necessary for better border management and to resolve various issues related to border in the mutual interests of both the countries.
He also added during the conference, various issues for effective border management were discussed.
These included measures to curb trans-border crime including unwanted loss of life, smuggling of cattle, drugs and narcotics, contraband items, he was also quoted as saying.
The delegations also discussed about effective measures to check illegal movement across the International Boundary, smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), breach of fence and safety and security of border population of both the countries.
During the meeting, various pending issues related to infrastructure and developmental works in border areas were also discussed, with both sides appreciating various activities being conducted under the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP).
The CBMPt includes Simultaneous Coordinated Patrols (SCP), sharing of intelligence, identification of vulnerable areas and increased frequency of meetings at all levels.
Both sides appreciated that trans-border crime has declined following efforts made by the border guarding forces, and agreed to pursue the construction of developmental projects in the respective border areas.