Government wants to discuss all unfair agreements with India

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday said all unequal agreements made with India during the Awami League government’s tenure will be discussed.

Indian nationals in border areas often produce drugs, the adviser said during a press briefing on the upcoming border conference between the chiefs of the Border Guard Bangladesh and India's Border Security Force.

"They manufacture Phensedyl and smuggle it into Bangladesh. Although they claim to produce it as medicine, it is actually made as a narcotic."

Jahangir said any activity within 150 yards of the border requires mutual approval from both sides. "There is no provision for unilateral action, though they often attempt to do so."

The adviser added that if a mosque or temple is to be built for development purposes, the consent of both countries is necessary. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that such consent is obtained in the future, he mentioned.

He said discussions will be held regarding stopping border killings, shooting at unarmed Bangladeshi citizens at the border, and preventing injuries caused by the BSF or Indian criminals.

The conference will also address the issue of the BSF or Indian nationals abducting or detaining Bangladeshi citizens, the adviser added.

"Measures to curb border violations, illegal crossings, or infiltrations by the BSF or Indian nationals will be emphasized. Additionally, preventing the smuggling of illegal drugs like yaba and Phensedyl, weapons, ammunition, and explosives from India into Bangladesh will be a priority."

Furthermore, discussions will be held on installing water treatment plants in four canals where wastewater flows from Agartala toward Akhaura, Jahangir said.

The adviser also mentioned that issues such as equitable distribution of water in rivers along the Bangladesh-India border, water extraction from rivers, implementation of water agreements, and reopening the mouth of the Rahimpur canal will be discussed.