Dismissing charges raised by Bangladesh, the MEA further stated that India reiterated “its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals, and trafficking. Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices, and cattle fences are measures for securing the border”.The 2,216 km porous […]
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Dismissing charges raised by Bangladesh, the MEA further stated that India reiterated “its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals, and trafficking. Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices, and cattle fences are measures for securing the border”.The 2,216 km porous India-Bangladesh border has been facing a host of security challenges including smuggling, trafficking, movement of criminals and illegal entry or infiltration. As much as 27 km stretch of the 172 km India-Bangladesh border in Malda district remains unfenced. Recently a dispute arose over the installation of barbed wires on a 1,200-metre stretch at Baishnabnagar village.
End of ArticleDuring the meeting, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin objected to the “unauthorised” attempt to put up barbed wire fencing at several places along the border, causing tensions and disturbances in the areas.Verma, during the meeting, elucidated why India has been constructing barbed fencing along the border.A report by The Indian Express quoted sources in the BSF as saying that the work on installation of fences along the international border in West Bengal’s Malda district commenced in April and continued “smoothly” for the next three months. However, “since November, after Yunus-led interim government assumed power in Bangladesh, the fencing work has been repeatedly halted,” the report cited a BSF officer as saying.India and Bangladesh are engaged in a fresh row over the barbed-wire fencing of the international border as per the agreement signed between the two countries when toppled leader Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister in Dhaka. Before the latest objection by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, the boundary question between India and Bangladesh was considered settled.
India-Bangladesh border fencing row
“However, the interim Bangladesh government is now reneging on this agreement, saying they would review it,” the officer said.After facing disruption from the Bangladesh side on border fencing, another BSF officer quoted in the IE report said that the recent actions by the neighbouring country indicated a potential deviation from a previously agreed-upon joint fencing plan.“It was conveyed that, with regard to security measures at the border, including fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments and between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh,” the MEA said in a statement.“We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. BSF and BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) have been in communication in this regard. We expect that understandings will be implemented and there will be a cooperative approach to combating crime,” Verma said.“Between April and June, the fencing work continued with prior notification to Bangladesh. The work was halted between July and October, due to the monsoon as several areas got submerged due to flooding. As the fencing work resumed in November, it faced a setback after BGB raised objections for the first time,” the officer said.On Sunday, Yunus’s government alleged that India was attempting to install fences at five locations along the Indo-Bangla border, violating a bilateral agreement. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry even went on to summon India’s High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express “deep concern” over “recent activities of the BSF”.
Within hours, on Monday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner Md Nural Islam, reiterating its adherence to all protocols related to border management and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a crime-free border.“I just met [Bangladesh’s] foreign secretary to discuss India’s commitment to ensuring a crime-free border, effectively addressing challenges of smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking,” Verma told the media in Dhaka after the meeting on Sunday.With around 50 per cent of its 2,216 km border with Bangladesh remaining unfenced, West Bengal faces heightened security risks.
Fencing at Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal crucial
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India-Bangladesh: Now border fencing row erupts as India protests Yunus govt’s remarksInstallation of barbed wires at unfenced stretches on India-Bangladesh border was initiated in April last year by the Border Security Force (BSF) in accordance with the existing agreement as well as with prior notification to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). All went smooth till December, when the Yunus-led interim government, which was installed in Bangladesh after a student agitation forced Hasina to flee the country, objected to the fencing activity. Some reports also suggested that the Yunus government was considering reneging Bangladesh’s border agreement with India.The BSF officer went on to say that the fencing activities were resumed in December, ensuring that the BGB was ” duly informed beforehand as per our existing agreement”.
