M Mahfuzur Rahman: Bangladesh and India share a total of 4,096 kilometres (2,545 miles) long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world, including 262 km in Assam, 856 km in Tripura, 180 km in Mizoram, 443 km in Meghalaya, and 2,217 km in West Bengal while Bangladesh-Myanmar shares a common border of 271 kilometers which is divided into two parts -64km zero-line boundary on the Naf River and a 208km land boundary.
The Bangladesh divisions of Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Chittagong are situated along the Indian border. Bangladesh is surrounded by India to the west, north and northeast Myanmar to the southeast, and the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Bangladesh and India- the two neighbouring countries- have a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties. Both countries have a common history of struggle for freedom and liberation.
But Myanmar is totally different from Bangladeshi culture, heritage and language excepting some common of colonial legacy. Also, there are no strong bilateral ties with Myanmar historically despite Myanmar being the 7th country who recognise Bangladesh after the bloody independence from brutal Pakistan.
Our border security system with the two neighbouring countries was historically in a pathetic position. The two border security forces- the Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar have been continuing their killing mission in the border areas since our independence in 1971.
Recently, separate border irregularities especially at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has been increased including the shooting, killing and abduction of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members.
On June 17, the BGP men abducted one BGB man, Nayek Abdur Razzak, after shooting them into the Bangladesh territory of the Naf River while another BGB man was also shot in the incident. After taking them into the Myanmar territory, they brutally assaulted Nayek Razzak after his abduction.
Even, when BGP personnel were in a handing over programme of the abducted Razzak to Bangladesh officials, some of the BGP staff shot on a Bangladeshi in the border area. This is the straight dismantling or violation of the international border rules and laws.
Relations between Myanmar and Bangladesh were not so strong and also not so bad. Bangladesh-Myanmar official relations started off following Myanmar`s recognition of Bangladesh on 13 January 1972. Between 1972 and 1985, the two countries signed three important agreements and those were: (i) the General Trade Agreement (3 August 1973), (ii) the Repatriation of Refugee Agreement (1978), and (iii) the Land Boundary Agreement (1979). These agreements were milestones for the relations between the two countries. Since then many top-level visits took place from both sides to strengthen Bangladesh-Myanmar ties. But Myanmar has violated this agreement at separate times in history.
Bilateral exports and imports between Bangladesh and Myanmar were also in warm situations. Myanmar exports to Bangladesh such items as marine products, beans and pulses, and kitchen crops, while it imports from Bangladesh pharmaceuticals, ceramic, cotton fabric, raw jute, kitchenware, cosmetics and agri-products, according to the report of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI). Reportedly, bilateral trade between Myanmar and Bangladesh stood at US$ 140 million in 2008, which the two countries tried to take to 500 million dollars in the fiscal year 2009-2010.
Earlier in June 2014, Myanmar and Bangladeshi authorities vowed to strengthen border security and combat illegal armed groups and criminals following clashes on their shared frontier that left one Bangladeshi soldier dead.
On May 28, last year; unprovoked firing by Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar killed another Nayek Md. Mizanur Rahman, a brave soldier of the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB). Myanmar BGP opened fire without provocation near border pillar 52 at Naikkhanchhari of Bandarban district, wounding Mizanur. BGP then intruded into Bangladesh territory and took away injured Mizanur. Mizanur apparently died without medical attention at the hands of BGP.
The Myanmar border guard members frequently violated the 1980 Bangladesh-Myanmar Border Agreement while Bangladesh wanted a peaceful border for continued friendly relations with Myanmar. The Border Guards of Bangladesh had not taken a tough stand against any irresponsible acts of Myanmar border police or against the anarchies by the Indian BSF in the Indo-Bangla border areas.
There are a lot of irregularities, anarchies and atrocities happening in the border areas than I have noted down in the article on border atrocities by India and Myanmar. So, it should be stopped immediately. It should have a permanent solution. But it is a matter of regret that the Bangladesh authorities have not taken any tough actions against these kinds of border crimes.
The government should take some initiatives to solve the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar border crisis. The steps are:
1. Border Guards of Bangladesh will take a stern stand against any irresponsible acts of Myanmar border police or Indian BSF.
2. Fulfilling the claims of the 1974 border treaty and other agreements with Myanmar and India.
3. Taking steps to immediately stop of shoot-at-sight policy of BSF or BGP.
4. Alleged BSF or BGP soldiers should be trialled in an immediate basis.
5. We can urge the international communities to form a legal international committee or body that will guide the three authorities to maintain international standards of border management.
6. As it happens usually, Bangladesh should attract the eyes of international communities in this regard.
7. Bangladesh should go to the United Nations (UN) with these allegations that hamper our sovereignty.
The writer is a media activist and he can be reached at mahfuzjnu21@yahoo.com.
Read the main article published in the risingbd.com: https://www.risingbd.com/english/border-security-must-be-maintained/26060
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