Rumi Akter Polly of DOT
[2] Describing killings of Bangladeshis by Indians along the border as a stain in the relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said this, reports bangla-news24.com. [3] While addressing a press conference at the state guest house Padma after the virtual summit between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, the minister also said that India assured there will be no use of lethal weapons to deal with the criminal activities along the border, reports UNB. [4] Responding to a question with regard to the sensitive issue, he said, “We have such a good relationship. The border killings stain our relationship.”
[5] “We have raised the issue. The Indian prime minister himself said that no lethal weapons will be used. He [Modi] also said that he will instruct the force [BSF] anew in this regard,” said the foreign minister.
[6] He also said that both sides will work on a coordinated border management to bring down the killings to zero.
[7] Referring to the incidents where Bangladeshis enter India with guns and bombs, the foreign minister placed emphasis on caution on the part of Bangladeshis. About accepting bribes by the BSF at the border, he said, “We came to know about this through the media.” When asked if the issue was raised with the Indian head of the government, Dr Momen replied in the negative.