India, Bangladesh to step up joint border patrolling

NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh have decided to step up joint patrolling along the boundary to act against criminals and smugglers and enhance cooperation through a coordinated border management plan.

These decisions were taken at the India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group meeting and the Home Secretary-level talks held here on February 16-17.

"During the meetings, both the countries agreed to enhance cooperation in border management by way of a coordinated border management plan, increased joint patrolling for reducing the crimes being committed by criminals and smugglers and higher vigil on the border by deployment of troops of Bangladesh in unguarded border areas of Bangladesh, particularly along the borders facing Tripura and Mizoram," an official statement said today.

The Indian delegation, led by Union Home Secretary L C Goyal, appreciated the steps taken by the Bangladesh authorities in acting against the carriers of fake Indian currency notes, and action taken against the Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) taking shelter in the bordering areas of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Senior Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Mozammel Haque Khan.

Both the countries also agreed to act against the criminals engaged in human trafficking from Bangladesh to India and other countries.

Detailed security and border management-related issues between the two countries were discussed threadbare at the two meetings.

After a long time, the meetings of Deputy Commissioners or District Magistrates of the districts bordering India and Bangladesh have been resumed.