The decision was taken during the 50th DG level conference of the border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh which concluded in Dhaka on Saturday. A joint record of discussion was issued on the final day of the conference on Saturday.
Recognising the increasingly violent attacks on the border guarding forces, both the countries agreed for real time sharing of intelligence on smuggling syndicates and list of smugglers to ensure that the India-Bangladesh border remains peaceful and secure.
Booth countries agreed to take effective steps for the prevention of human trafficking and illegal crossing of the International Border (IB). Bangladesh reassured India that it will not allow any Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) to use its soil for anti-India activities.
Responding to Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) concerns about the border deaths, BSF reiterated its policy of use of non-lethal weapons. In his interaction with the media, DG BSF Rakesh Asthana said that BSF has been instructed to resort to firing only as the last resort.
BSF also welcomed the suggestion of BGB that daily passes should be issued for people residing in bordering villages so that they can visit their relatives. India and Bangladesh also agreed not to undertake any development work within 150 yards of IB without prior information.
It was agreed that the next round of the DG level conference will be held at Guwahati preferably within the 2nd week of November. The 4 day conference of the border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh was convened in Dhaka between September 16-19 to discuss issues related to India-Bangladesh border management and security. The six member BSF delegation was led by its DG Rakesh Asthana. The Bangladesh side was led by the DG, BGB Md. Shafeenul Islam.