The BSF have been always noted in recent years for their high-handed activities at the common borders but the frequency and the scale of the violence have escalated in recent months. This is causing a lot of concern and fear among the people leaving in the border villages. 

Main reason of BSF?s such aggression is that insurgents from India's northeastern region operate from camps in Bangladesh. It is true that Bangladesh provides shelter to anti-Indian militant groups and infiltration from across the border is a well known fact. Other reason is simpler; just to show what they are capable of. Indian Boarder Security Force (BSF) killed at least 479 Bangladeshis between October 10 of 2001 to October 27 2006, reported Odhikar, a Bangladeshi human rights watchdog. In the year 2003 alone, the BSF and the Indian miscreants were responsible for 43 deaths, 82 injuries, 21 arrests, 120 abductions, 7 missing, 2 rapes and 8 incidents of looting. Representatives of the BDR and BSF frequently meet and discuss specific problems and even commit themselves to resolution of the same. But BSF?s commitments are too frequently dishonored than honored.

Tension is mounting along the border areas of Panchagarh, Naogaon and Joypurhat districts from the first week of 2007 following exchange of heavy gunfire between Border Security Force (BSF) of India and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) overnight. The BSF amassed a large number of troops and taken up position in bunkers with heavy weapons while the BDR men are on high alert. Villagers on both sides of the border are reported to have been fleeing to safer places, as they feared the situation might escalate further.

This situation is highly undesirable and unfortunate. Such a confrontation between two otherwise friendly and neighboring countries is very dismaying. Diplomacy should be given the highest priority to cool passions and achieve normalcy. India needs the cooperation of Bangladesh for peace on its own territories near the borders to counter insurgencies and a host of other problems. Bangladesh also has similar needs. Both should have the mentality to abide the "International Border Act".

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