India's concerns will be addressed: BDR chief

Ajay Kaul

New Delhi, Apr 5 (PTI) The concerns voiced by India will
be addressed by the new Bangladesh government and "many issues
will be behind us" in the near future, Bangladesh Rifles chief
Major Gen Mainul Islam has said, raising hopes about Dhaka
acting against north east insurgents taking shelter there.

Islam said his country recognises India's concerns and
the new elected government of Sheikh Hasina is firm on not
allowing Bangladeshi soil to be used against anybody.

"Our Prime Minister has declared that Bangladeshi land
will not be allowed to be used to sabotage any country. She is
firm on her decision," the newly-appointed BDR Director
General told PTI in an interview during a visit here.

When referred to India's persisting concerns about
infiltration by Bangladeshis and north-east insurgents taking
shelter there, he said "Once two democracies start talking,
concerns will be addressed".

Islam, who took over after his predecessor Shakeel Ahmed
was killed in the February 25 BDR mutiny, acknowledged India's
"concerns" and said these have been raised at DG-level BSF-BDR
meetings.

"By the time we (BSF and BDR chiefs) meet next time, many
issues will be behind us," he said but did not identify these
issues.

"We do recognise India's concerns and certainly things
will be addressed," the BDR chief said.

Noting that he was "not saying wrong or right", Islam
said, "but concerns will be addressed, certainly in due course
of time".

India has been providing Dhaka with locations of
north-east insurgent camps in Bangladesh and pressing it take
action against these. Dhaka has, however, been in a denial
mode.

"Let us not recall those days. We don't look at rear
mirror always," the new BDR chief said when pointed out that
the relations between his force and BSF have not been cordial
in the past.

Islam, who was appreciative of BSF's role during the
mutiny within BDR, said there was "very good understanding"
between the border forces of the two countries now. "We,
border forces, realise that we should not unnecessarily burden
our governments with big responsibilities. Many small issues
can be solved by border forces".

He said there have been several technical-level meetings
between BDR and BSF in the recent times and the results are in
"positive direction".

At the same time, the BDR chief said his force is not in
a position to fulfil requirement now as it is recovering from
the recent rebellion by some personnel.

"These are challenging times, will have to wait for good
time to come," he said. "We will work. We will start journey
from February 25 (when rebellion took place) and not behind
that," he said. PTI AKK
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