Bonhomie marks BSF-BGB conference in Shillong

SHILLONG: A huge hoarding of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam at the headquarters of the Border Security Force 's (BSF) Meghalaya Frontiers at Umpling here declaring, "We share one culture", portrays the historical bonhomie and understanding that marks the relationship between BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

"Any of our men can simply walk into each other's territory by upholding a flag and hold discussion. This is a unique relationship," observed BGB additional director general Mohammed Zakir Hussain, who led a team of 12 top officers for a 4-day Inspectors General-Region Commanders' Conference between BSF and BGB that concluded here on Friday.

As a mark of friendship, the BSF had taken the BGB team to a tour of scenic and historical places in and around the city during the course of the conference, even as vital issues of mutual interests were discussed between the two forces.

"We discussed agendas of common interest and our commitment to work together towards maintaining peace and tranquility along the India-Bangladesh border," Hussain said, even as he added that the issue of smuggling narcotics and cattle from India to Bangladesh were raised during the conference.

Hussain said the BGB would not allow illegal extraction of boulders by Bangladeshis from the Umngot River flowing along the international border at Dawki, causing ecological and environmental problems. "We are vigilant and have agreed to jointly work with the BSF to prevent illegal extraction," he added, while addressing a joint media conference along with Kuldeep Saini, Inspector General, BSF Meghalaya Frontier.

The water level of the Umgnot River, a major tourist attraction in the border town of Dawki in the East Khasi Hills that flows into Bangladesh, has been drastically falling and getting murkier due to extraction of boulders and sand on the other side of the border. "We don't allow crossing of the international border by anyone illegally and extracting boulders is out of the question," the top BGB officer iterated.