During the last visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010 both the countries signed agreements on transfer of sentenced persons and on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters. Further with a view to resolve the menace of terrorism both India and Bangladesh signed another agreement on combating international terrorism, organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.

Bangladesh had sent to the gallows five assailants of Bangabandhu namely, Syed Farooq Rahman, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Huda, AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed and Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan on January 28, 2010 after the country’s apex court verdict.

“In the spirit of the agreements signed with India, the Bangladesh Government has already handed over to India a list of fugitives responsible for the murder of Bangabandhu and other criminals who are believed to be hiding in India. There are some reports that Risaldar Musleh-ud-din others responsible for the murder of Bangabandhu are hiding in India,” said Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Major General Rafiqul Islam at a joint press brief after the conclusion of 5-day long 33rd BSF-BGB Border Co-ordination Conference, here on Saturday.

The BGB chief also assured that Bangladesh soil will not be used for any terrorist activity against India.

Both sides agreed to pursue confidence building measures (CBMs) and as a gesture of goodwill it was decided to host Joint Retreat Ceremony every year at Petrapole-Benapole ICP border. Such a ceremony will be the first between India and Bangladesh. India has joint retreat ceremony every year with Pakistan at Wagah-Attari border.

Initially a joint committee of BSF and BGB will go into the details and make appropriate recommendations for approval by both the governments the Joint India-Bangladesh Retreat Ceremony.

The Director General, Border Security Force (BSF), Raman Srivastava said : “after the success of the Joint Retreat Ceremony at Petrapole-Benapole ICP border, we may plan similar joint retreat ceremony at Phulbari.”

Responding to the point raised by his counterpart on the death of Bangladesh nationals in the past, the BSF chief said : “we have decided to use non-lethal weapons in certain areas along the border to begin with and minimize the use of lethal weapons.”

The BGB chief, however, admitted : “India-Bangladesh border has been very peaceful since May 2010 and there has been no incidence of cross border firing since then.”

The issues related to Joint Border Management Plan, trans-border crimes, border fencing, smuggling of fake Indian currency notes, narcotics and phensedyl, trafficking of women and children, security related issues, joint survey in Adverse Possession Areas and head count in the Enclaves were discussed by both sides.

Both sides agreed to take all out steps to prevent cross border crimes, illegal border crossings, drugs and human trafficking. They also agreed to complete the joint inspection of the remaining 20 out of 46 unfenced priority patches proposed by India within 150 yards of the international border.

India-Bangladesh border is 4,096 km long and in February 2011 13 km of fencing and 12 km of road works were completed under phase II of the project and 24 km of fencing were replaced under phase III of the project. Poles for floodlighting were erected on a length of 50 km and cables were laid on 30 km stretch.