While speaking at a certificate distribution and closing ceremony for officers from various sectors on Sunday,Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the country's borders are fully secure and measures are being implemented to increase border security, adding that while there are issues at the border, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is consistently on high alert.
We are in full agreement with the advisor's comment on securing our border, since it is directly linked to safeguarding our territorial integrity. On that note - Territorial integrity is the principle under international law where sovereign states have a right to defend their borders and all territory in them from another state.
It is clearly mentioned in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and has been recognized as customary international law. Under this principle, forcible imposition of a border change is an act of aggression.
The home affairs advisor's statement comes against the backdrop of a number of tensed incidents occurring along our shared border with India during the past week. The last occurrence was particularly disturbing because of Indian citizens infiltrating through our Chapainawabganjborder.
Aided by the BSF, the infiltrators damaged farmland and cut crops and trees of our countrymen. BSF members had also clearly violated international border rules by throwing tear shells and sound grenades inside our territory - equivalent to exercising acts of aggression.
However, though the situation has de-escalated following a number of BGB-BSF flag meetings, but some areas along our shared border with India yet remains quietly tensed and under strict vigilance. Diplomats concern in both countries had been summoned.
The point, however, our territorial integrity had reportedly been compromised many times in the last 16 years, and we want no more. That said - we profoundly thank our BGB members, for being bold and ensuring strict vigilance along our shared four thousand plus kilometer porous border with India. So far our BGB members have displayed marked commitment, tolerance and patriotism in defending our border.
Given decades old persisting border disputes, violence, killings and skirmishes along our shared border with India - we believe, it also is time to expand and modernize BGB's border defense mechanism. The para-military force's annual budget must also be increased. Apart from structural and man-power expansion, we expect to see BGB to emerge as a well-trained, well-equipped and technologically advanced force.
Despite having whatever disputes and issues with our next-door neighbors, we want our borders secure at any cost.
