<p>The five-day Director general level conference between Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Border Security Force will discuss a series of issues, with particular focus on preventing trans-border smuggling and improving law and order in the frontier areas.<br /><br />BDR chief Mohammad Rafiqul Islam told reporters that drug smuggling was the main topic of discussion on the first day of the conference between the two countries.<br /><br />"We've given them a list of routes used for transporting illegal drugs. They've also assured us of taking necessary steps," he was quoted as saying by bdnews.<br /><br />Dhaka raised the issue of alleged killing and wounding of "unarmed Bangladeshi nationals" by BSF and Indian civilians at the border, according to local media reports.<br /><br />BSF Director General Raman Srivastava, who arrived here yesterday, is leading a 20-member delegation while BDR chief Mohammad Rafiqul Islam is heading the team of Bangladesh.<br /><br />Home minister Shahara Khatun made the call in a meeting with Shrivastava, chief of the Indian Border Security Force, at her office today, secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told reporters after the meeting.<br /><br />In reply, the BSF chief assured her of stopping shooting along the border. "We are considering whether something else can be used instead of firearms," he said.<br /><br />Sikder said the BSF authorities were also requested to ensure that any member of the Khashia community or other Indian nationals do not move along the border with arms.<br />The Indians, for their part, asked Bangladesh that no one moves along the border at night.<br /><br />Junior home minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Bangladesh Rifles director general Rafiqul Islam and Indian high commissioner Rajeet Mitter were also present during the meeting.<br />The BSF chief is in Dhaka to attend a five-day conference that began on Thursday. The first day of the BDR-BSF meet ended at BDR headquarters at Pilkhana in the capital this afternoon.<br /><br />The five-day top level border talks will conclude on Monday (Sept 27) through signing of a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD).<br /><br />Earlier, the members of Indian delegation came to Pilkhana from Sheraton Hotel at 9 in the morning. They placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at BDR HQs to show respect to the martyrs of 1971. The BSF delegation was presented with a guard of honour on arrival at the office of the BDR director general. <br /><br /></p>
<p>The five-day Director general level conference between Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Border Security Force will discuss a series of issues, with particular focus on preventing trans-border smuggling and improving law and order in the frontier areas.<br /><br />BDR chief Mohammad Rafiqul Islam told reporters that drug smuggling was the main topic of discussion on the first day of the conference between the two countries.<br /><br />"We've given them a list of routes used for transporting illegal drugs. They've also assured us of taking necessary steps," he was quoted as saying by bdnews.<br /><br />Dhaka raised the issue of alleged killing and wounding of "unarmed Bangladeshi nationals" by BSF and Indian civilians at the border, according to local media reports.<br /><br />BSF Director General Raman Srivastava, who arrived here yesterday, is leading a 20-member delegation while BDR chief Mohammad Rafiqul Islam is heading the team of Bangladesh.<br /><br />Home minister Shahara Khatun made the call in a meeting with Shrivastava, chief of the Indian Border Security Force, at her office today, secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told reporters after the meeting.<br /><br />In reply, the BSF chief assured her of stopping shooting along the border. "We are considering whether something else can be used instead of firearms," he said.<br /><br />Sikder said the BSF authorities were also requested to ensure that any member of the Khashia community or other Indian nationals do not move along the border with arms.<br />The Indians, for their part, asked Bangladesh that no one moves along the border at night.<br /><br />Junior home minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Bangladesh Rifles director general Rafiqul Islam and Indian high commissioner Rajeet Mitter were also present during the meeting.<br />The BSF chief is in Dhaka to attend a five-day conference that began on Thursday. The first day of the BDR-BSF meet ended at BDR headquarters at Pilkhana in the capital this afternoon.<br /><br />The five-day top level border talks will conclude on Monday (Sept 27) through signing of a Joint Record of Discussion (JRD).<br /><br />Earlier, the members of Indian delegation came to Pilkhana from Sheraton Hotel at 9 in the morning. They placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at BDR HQs to show respect to the martyrs of 1971. The BSF delegation was presented with a guard of honour on arrival at the office of the BDR director general. <br /><br /></p>