Shahriar for zero border killing

Amid reports of border killings mostly by the Indian Border Security Force, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has expressed his hope that killings along with long Bangladesh-India border will come down to zero level gradually.

"I would like to assure all that Dhaka will always be vocal to come down the border killing at zero level," BSS qouted him as saying on Wednesday.

The state minister was addressing a discussion as its chief guest in Dhaka, where he said the incident of killing in a number of points of 4000-km long Bangladesh-India border came down to zero level in recent years even though problems remain in some points like Lalmonirhat.

Alam said the incidents of border killing made Bangladesh-India relation embarrassed and "it does not show proper respect to our existing bilateral relations".

The state minister said Dhaka raised the recent border killing incidents in Lalmonirhat with India through 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 the countries.

He said the highest level of leadership of both Bangladesh and India have committed to make 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 been taken place and "We questioned why bullets did not hit leg or hands of the victims".

The state minister said despite of 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 "Golden Chapter".

He also talked about the role of the media in fighting the misinformation regarding the bilateral relation between the two closest neighbours.