India and Bangladesh today decided to conduct joint patrolling along the Indo-Bangla Border by BSF and BGB in Tripura to check cross-border movement of Indian insurgents, smuggling of narcotics and trans-border crime.
The decision was taken during the two-day Indo-Bangla Deputy Commissioner level meeting which concluded here today.
While the Indian side raised issues about the presence of insurgents, the Bangladesh side raised the issues of narcotics smuggling in a joint statement signed by both the countries.
They agreed for joint patrolling by BSF and BGB and Bangladesh security would swung into action if insurgents were found to be using their soil.
Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Hill district, Shamshul Arifin said that both sides have laid importance on containing crimes on the borders and decided for a joint patrolling by the border guards of the two countries.
The border outposts of BSF have been improved on Indian side and similar initiatives were also taken on the side of Bangladesh to improve the infrastructures of BOPs, he said.
District Administration and concerned agencies of both sides would take necessary steps to prevent trans-border crimes such as illegal trespassing, trafficking of women and children, smuggling of drugs and narcotics.
The two countries have also decided to share information about dual citizenship of people and take necessary action against them.
"The conference was aimed at improving relation at the grassroots level and issues like smuggling, trans-border crime, narcotics were discussed," District Magistrate of West Tripura district Abhishek Singh said.
District Magistrates of West Tripura, Unokoti, North Tripura, Khowai, Dhalai and Sepahijala, while Deputy Commissioners of Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria, Moulavi Bazar, Rangamati and Habiganj took part in the conference.
"BSF and BGB flag meetings take place frequently but this type of meeting helps us to build confidence in grassroots levels," leader of the Bangladeshi delegation, Moulavi Bazar DC, Md Kamrul Hassan said.
Tripura shares 856 km-long border with Bangladesh.
