Foreign Minister blames border victims for illegal entry

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud provided insights into the recent fatalities of two Bangladeshis due to firing by Indian Border Guards, attributing the incidents to ‍‍`illegal entry.‍‍`

The queries arose following the deaths of two Bangladeshis in Lalmonirhat on Monday and the subsequent firing incident by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Naogaon on Tuesday.

Detailing the Lalmonirhat incident, Mahmud highlighted that certain individuals had breached the border fence, prompting a confrontation with the BSF.

Minister Hasan Mahmud by citing to BSF reports informed that when the individuals were confronted, they allegedly outnumbered and encircled the BSF personnel, leading to gunfire resulting in two injuries. While one individual managed to return to Bangladesh, the other was hospitalized on the Indian side and later succumbed to injuries.

Furthermore, Mahmud underscored a similar occurrence on March 26 at the Naogaon border, emphasizing that the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) had lodged a protest, prompting a bilateral border meeting.

In ongoing discussions with India, Mahmud stressed the importance of employing non-lethal weapons at the border, citing recent efforts to mitigate casualties. During his recent visit to India, he expressed serious concerns regarding border management, advocating for the adoption of less lethal measures. As a result, the use of rubber bullets or firearms has notably decreased, minimizing injuries and facilitating safer border operations