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India offers help in restructuring paramilitary force in Bangladesh

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, April 1, IRNA – Expressing full support to the Bangladesh government and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in restructuring the force, India on Wednesday said that any "recalcitrant elements" of the BDR will not be allowed to enter the country.

"We have expressed our full support to the Bangladesh government and BDR in restructuring the force. We will ensure that BDR recalcitrant elements do not enter into India at any cost and if any one caught we would hand them over to Bangladesh," Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Director General M L Kumawat (photo) said during a joint press conference with his BDR counterpart.

BDR chief Brigadier-General Mainul Islam requested the BSF to continue the "prudence and wisdom" shown at the borders since the bloody mutiny of 25th and 26th February and by rebel troops of the paramilitary in which 58 Army officers were killed.

"The BSF has shown prudence and wisdom during the (BDR mutiny) crisis. It has been dealing the whole matter with wisdom and we expect them to do so in the future," Islam told reporters in New Delhi.

Islam, who led a six-member delegation for 29th Border Coordination Conference, was speaking after signing a Joint Record of Discussions with Kumawat in New Delhi.

"The saddest episode ever happened in world took place in Bangladesh... no BDR jawan could dare to cross the border into India as the BSF showed wisdom," Islam said while expressing his gratitude for India's support and cooperation during the recent crisis," he said.

The BSF DG said there have been no cases of crossing over into India from Bangladesh till now (from February 25) with or without weapons, adding "We (BSF) will be very firm in our dealings at the Indo-Bangla border".

The two sides discussed a range of issues related to border management and agreed to strengthen joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes including illegal movements across the border, trafficking of women and children, smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition.

Work related to maintenance of boundary pillars along the Indo-Bangla border also came up for discussions during the three-day meet from 30th March to 1st April in New Delhi.

On the extradition of ULFA leaders, Islam evaded a direct reply and said, "I'm coming from a hell of fire... I'm not in a position to comment but I can assure you the Prime Minister has stated that the country will not harbour anyone who harms our country or the neighbouring country."

"We have shared our common concern. We hope in near future, under democratically elected governments, we can resolve many issues," Islam said.

"The Bangladesh government is very new... just after the elections it suffered this set back (BDR mutiny). We have to give some time to make its comments into practice," he said.

On the probe into the BDR mutiny, Islam said that three separate investigations are going on and the culprits would be brought to justice.