Representational image of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel keeping vigil at the India-Bangladesh border in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal | Photo Credit: PTI
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) held a border-coordination meeting on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) at the Sector Commandment level at the Petrapole-Benapole border area to discuss critical border issues of mutual interest.
The meeting deliberated upon important issues of mutual interest, including development projects in border areas, the implementation of the Single Row Fence (SRF), and effective measures to combat cross-border crime including cattle smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, a press statement released by the South Bengal Frontier of the BSF on Wednesday said.
The high-level interaction also reportedly highlighted “the unwavering commitment of both the forces towards strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring the sanctity of the international border”.
The development comes amidst tensions along the Indian-Bangladesh border, with recent reports of disagreements over the erection of border fences in certain areas like Sukdebpur in West Bengal’s Malda.
The BSF delegation on Wednesday was led by Tarni Kumar, Deputy Inspector General, Sector Headquarters BSF Kolkata, while the BGB delegation was led by Colonel Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury, Sector Commander, Sector Headquarters BGB Khulna. The delegation also comprised respective Battalion Commanders and Staff Officers from both forces.
The Public Relations Officer of BSF South Bengal Frontier said on Wednesday, “These high-level meetings are testimony to the unbreakable partnership between India and Bangladesh. Through open dialogue and cooperation, both forces have reaffirmed their commitment to maintain the sanctity of the international border while addressing shared concerns. The BSF is steadfast in its mission to faithfully guard its borders and promote harmony with its neighbours.”
Notably, the meeting on Wednesday follows a January 10 meeting between the two forces, in which the Inspector-General of BSF’s South Bengal Frontier Maninder P.S. Pawar was present, along with BGB’s Regional Commander of the South West Region, Brigadier-General Mohammad Humayun Kabir. Subjects like mutual cooperation and maintaining peace along the border were discussed.
Infiltration attempt foiled
In related developments, the BSF’s South Bengal Frontier foiled multiple smuggling and infiltration attempts at the West Bengal-Bangladesh border on Tuesday, in several districts like North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, and Malda.
According to a press statement, BSF personnel pushed back a total of 13 illegal Bangladeshi intruders, seized 1,236 bottles of banned Phensedyl, rescued 18 cattle, and apprehended three Bangladeshi cattle smugglers red-handed on Tuesday.
The Public Relations Officer of South Bengal Frontier stated that they are taking strict measures to stop smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border and that they “will not allow smuggling from [their] area under any circumstances”.
The border between West Bengal and Bangladesh is roughly 2,216 km long, of which about 913 km between the Sundarbans in the south and Malda in the north falls under the jurisdiction of the South Bengal Frontier. The presence of multiple water bodies in the region and the lack of fencing make border management challenging, rendering the area prone to smuggling and infiltration attempts.
Published – January 16, 2025 07:42 am IST
