India, Bangladesh agree to exchange information on terrorists

Dhaka, Oct 25 (UNI) India and Bangladesh today agreed to exchange information about terrorists and reached consensus to complete development works within 150 yards from zero line considering the interest of the local people across the common border.

The consensus was reached between India's Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on the first day of the five-day border conference that began here today.

''The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and agreement and progress were made on a number of subjects,'' a statement of the BDR said.

Talking to mediapersons, after a courtesy call on Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, BSF Director General Ashish Kumar Mitra said some ten Bangladeshi terrorists who are facing cases in Kolkata court will be deported to Bangladesh.

Gen Mitra is leading the 17-member Indian delegation to BDR-BSF Director General conference while BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed leads 18-member host side.

In reply to a question, he said both sides have decided to complete 27 development works within 150 yards from the zero line considering the interest of the local people along the common border.

Dr Chowdhury said border management is an important component of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.

The Adviser expressed his satisfaction at the ongoing discussions between the BDR and the BSF and hoped that this would result in agreements that would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

''We are pleased that we have been able to structuralise negotiations with regard to these through more frequent meetings,'' he said.

Earlier in the day, the two sides discussed a host of outstanding issues, including cross-border smuggling, trespassing, insurgents, demarcation of common borders, installing border pillars and killing of innocent civilians along the border.

The conference will conclude with the signing of the Joint Records of Discussions on October 29.

UNI