State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday hoped that killings along the Bangladesh-India border will come down to zero gradually.
“I would like to assure all that Dhaka will always be vocal to bring down the border killing at zero level,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion in Dhaka.
He said the incident of killing at several points of the 4,000-km long Bangladesh-India border came down to zero level in recent years, though problems remain in some points such as Lalmonirhat.
Alam said the incidents of border killing has made Bangladesh-India relations tense, and “it does not show proper respect to our existing bilateral relations.”
The state minister said Dhaka raised the issue of recent border killing incidents in Lalmonirhat with India through the diplomatic channel on Tuesday.
“We hope it (border killing) will come down to zero level (in all points),” he said, adding that there is no lack of sincerity at the top leadership of both countries.
He said the highest level of leadership of both Bangladesh and India have committed to making effective border management for ensuring a tranquil, stable and crime-free border.
Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern, and directed the concerned border guarding forces not to use lethal weapons, he added.
But, he said, killing incidents have still taken place, adding, “We questioned why bullets did not hit the leg or hands of the victims.”
The state minister said that despite tragic incidents there are many achievements brought by the two countries in border management in recent years.
Shahriar Alam said there are disruptive forces driven by vested quarters but the two countries will work together to further deepen the existing relations of the “Golden Chapter.”
He also talked about the role of the media in fighting the misinformation regarding the bilateral ties between the two closest neighbours.
Surjobarta Media and Communication organised the seminar titled “Indo-Bangla Unique Friendship in Hasina-Modi Regimes: Role of Media” at Biswasahitya Kendra.
Indian reputed journalist Dr Ayanjit Sen gave a special lecture on Indian Perspective while Surjobarta Editor Sumi Khan presented a concept paper.
Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, Daily Samakal Acting Editor Mozammel Hossain Monju, Chief News Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Samir Kanti Barua, Joint Editor Daily Prothom Alo Sohrab Hassan, Daily Desh Rupantor Chief Reporter Ummul Wara spoke as special guests at the seminar.
