India and Bangladesh yesterday reached a consensus to work jointly for checking smuggling, kidnapping and border terrorism in the frontiers of the two neighbouring countries.
This was decided at the Joint Border Conference of deputy commissioners and district magistrates of the bordering areas of the two countries held at Chittagong Circuit House in the afternoon.
The three-hour long meeting was held in a cordial and congenial atmosphere where bilateral issues of mutual interests of both the countries were discussed elaborately.
A wide range of bilateral issues, including weapons smuggling, trans-border crimes, insurgency, narcotics and human trafficking, were discussed in the conference aiming to ensure better border management between the two neighbouring countries.
Shamsul Arefin, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, led Bangladesh team while Ashish Madhaorao More, deputy commissioner of Lunglei, led the Indian team.
Shamsul Arefin said: “There is no big problem between the two countries now. However, many bilateral issues were discussed elaborately such as trafficking, smuggling and other issues. We have mainly discussed how we could address the problems.”
He also said it was agreed upon that the civil administration would be involved in sensitizing people on various aspect of border crimes.
Ashish Madhaorao More said: “The discussion was very productive. It will help us boost the bilateral relations. We have also taken some decisions to resolve some of the long-standing bilateral problems. We will also meet in India next year to discuss the border issues.”
Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah inaugurated the conference. Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mesbah Uddin, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, Rangamati Superintendent of Police Syeed Tarikul Hassan, Deputy Magistrate of Mamit Lalbiaksangi, SP of Lunglei Zosangliana, SP of Serchhip Lalringdika and SP of Mamit Lalnunmawia were also present the meeting.
This is the second round of meeting after the first meeting held in Mizoram, India in January.