Indo-Bangladesh border talks to begin tomorrow

Dhaka, Oct 24 (UNI) A border conference between Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) will begin here tomorrow to discuss a host of outstanding issues, including cross-border terrorism, smuggling and insurgency.

BSF Director General Ashish Kumar Mitra arrived here this afternoon to lead India to the five-day conference. BDR Director General Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed, who will lead the Bangladesh side, received him at Zia International Airport.

The Director General level conference will end up with the signing of the Joint Records of Discussions on October 29.

BSF sources said the BSF delegation was likely to raise the issues of committing crimes by Bangladeshi nationals inside India, infiltration, border fencing and development works within 150 yards from zero point and prevention of smuggling of drugs and cattle, activities of Bangladeshi "fundamentalists and terrorists" in Indian territory and presence of Indian insurgents in Bangladesh.

On the other hand, BDR sources said Bangladesh would raise the issues of killing, kidnapping and detaining of Bangladeshi nationals, smuggling of illegal arms and ammo, explosives and drugs.

Demarcation of land boundary, installation of border pillars, completion of survey at undermarcated land boundary, construction of defence infrastructures, roads and barbed-wire fencing will also come up for discussion.

UNI