BORDER KILLINGS, SMUGGLING TOP AGENDA AT BGB-BSF BATTALION COMMANDER-LEVEL MEETING ​.

Jahangir Alam, Staff Reporter ​A battalion commander-level courtesy meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) was held along the Feni border to discuss recent push-in attempts, drug smuggling, and measures to reduce border tension. During the meeting, both forces expressed a firm commitment to work together to bring border fatalities down to zero, prevent illegal crossings, and control all types of cross-border crimes. ​The hour-long meeting took place on Sunday between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM at the Majumdarhat BOP area under BGB, adjacent to the Belonia ICP in Parshuram Upazila, Feni. ​A 21-member delegation led by Lieutenant Colonel M. M. Zillur Rahman, Commanding Officer of the Feni Battalion (4 BGB), represented the Bangladeshi side. The 9-member BSF delegation was headed by Commandant S. H. Ravindra Madani of the 43 BSF Battalion. ​During the meeting, both sides emphasized increasing regular communication to avoid unwanted situations and maintain a peaceful atmosphere along the border. It was decided that any local border-related issues or disputes would be resolved immediately through discussions at the local Company Commander level. If unresolved, the matter will be escalated to the Battalion Commander level. ​Key Decisions of the Meeting: ​Strict Adherence to Zero Line Policy: Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to prohibit any illegal construction or infrastructure within 150 yards of the border's zero line. ​No Taking the Law into Own Hands: If any land dispute arises between citizens of the two countries, both forces agreed that the parties should not resolve it independently; instead, it must be mediated through BGB and BSF. ​Ensuring Security: Both forces agreed to act responsibly to curb border crimes and guarantee the safety of residents living on both sides of the border. ​Experts believe that such regular bilateral meetings will help minimize misunderstandings at the field level and facilitate the swift resolution of minor border disputes before they escalate into major tensions.