BSF-BGB discuss border-related issues in Tripura

Expressing grave concern over the border security issues, a 14-member team of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) led by Regional Commander, Md Zahid Hasan and Border Security Forces (BSF) attended a four-day long meeting held in the premises of Tripura frontier headquarters in Shalabagan, Agartala.

BSF's Deputy Inspector General, Ashoke Kumar Yadav and Mrityunjoy Kumar received the BGB delegation at the zero point of Agartala-Akhaura land port.

When quizzed about the relation between the two country's border guards, Hasan said, "The relation between both the nations is excellent, however, few border-related issues like drug smuggling, Human trafficking and infiltration were disused in the meeting."

Both sides also discussed various border-related issues such as smuggling of drugs, human trafficking, the killing of innocent people.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the authorities of both the nations for the establishment of six new border haats at new locations.

Tripura will get six haats while Meghalaya will get four. Both the nations further agreed to work on the roadmap for expansion of the existing border haats.

Shafiqul Islam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh said, "The local people are benefitted by the haat operation. In last May we organized a workshop where we invited all the stakeholders. Bangladesh requested for more border haats because it creates a good relationship. Illegal trade and border tension have come down but despite that, we need some official impact assessment."

The livelihood of the people residing in areas adjoining to the haats is likely to improve further with the establishment of more border haats.