New Delhi, Feb 20: The head of Bangladesh’s border guarding agency stated on Thursday that claims regarding attacks on minorities in the nation are “exaggerated,” emphasizing the measures taken by authorities to ensure their safety.
During a joint press conference with India’s Border Security Force (BSF) chief, Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui mentioned that the Bangladeshi team has expressed concerns about fencing in certain areas along the India-Bangladesh border, hoping for resolution of these matters soon.
Chaudhary noted that instances of infiltration across the international border have significantly decreased since the Sheikh Hasina administration’s fall on August 5, 2024.
Addressing minority issues, Siddiqui remarked, “Reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh are exaggerated. We have received numerous appeals from minorities fearing for their safety, but the BGB assured them of support.”
He highlighted that the bi-annual meeting with the BSF extensively covered fencing concerns as a priority matter.
“We have requested joint inspections wherever issues persist,” he stated.
Siddiqui also clarified that there were no discussions aimed at revising the India-Bangladesh border treaty established in 1975.
“This topic was not within the scope of this meeting,” he explained.
This marked the 55th session of the bi-annual DG-level border discussions between India and Bangladesh, conducted by their respective border guarding forces—BSF and BGB.
It was the inaugural high-level meeting between the two agencies post the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in August.
The BSF is responsible for safeguarding the 4,096 km long boundary between India and Bangladesh, spanning five states — West Bengal (2,217 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km), and Mizoram (318 km).
The last edition of these discussions took place in Dhaka in March of the previous year. (PTI)
