Bangladesh News and Discussions

^^^^^^

I don't know how much that will help.We have already seen DST doing nothing to improve the situation,but the Govt. is claiming otherwise.But at least they are trying,good to see that.

'Grid to get 2252 MW by 2011'

Sun, Aug 30th, 2009

Dhaka, Aug 30 (bdnews24.com)—At least 2,252 MW will be added to the national power grid by 2011, with a third of that to be generated by year-end, a parliamentary committee said on Sunday.

Officials at a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on power said that 752 MW of electricity to be generated by December this year would reduce the chronic power outages across the country.

"An additional 1500 mega watts will be added to the grid by 2011," Subid Ali Bhuiyan, chairman of the standing committee, told reporters after the committee meeting in parliament building.

The chairman said the power situation had improved in the country due to efficient management of resources by the government.

He said the daily production of electricity had increased to 4250 MW from the previous 3700 MW since the government came to power in January.

Bhuiyan said his committee also stressed the need for exploiting renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and wave.

"We have to meet the domestic energy necessities from renewable sources. Gas and coal should only be used for industrial purposes," he said.


BDnews24.

It will be able to have better check on smuggling,human traffickers and terrorists.I think India has BOP every 3 kms.So in this case Bangladesh's number is lower.It will help BDR patrol the area effectively.
BSF already uses jeeps,but we are lagging behind on that.There is a plan to provide motor cycles to BBG(new border force of Bangladesh).This will enhance the efficiency of patrolling the border.

I am inclined to believe that this action is being undertaken under political duress from India - particularly given the present electoral situation. However, here's why I believe this 'camp erection' is untenable:

• The Indo-Bangladesh border, spanning a total length of 4,095 km is the longest land border India shares with any of its neighbour countries. The existing and emerging threats along this border are conditioned, to a large extent, by two factors: 1) population migration and 2) the terrain. The most exigent issue is arguably, a demographic one- that of the illegal migration of Bangladeshis into India, to the extent that the very demographic complexion of some districts in states like Assam, West Bengal and Bihar have undergone dramatic, indelible transformations. These constitute a grave threat to local, indigenous identities particularly in states like Tripura where local tribal populations have been reduced to a minority - as do they adversely affect socio-economic variables like unemployment, law and order and housing. Bangladesh faces the very real crisis of lebensraum: it has a population density per sq. km. 3 times that of India, with 1/25th its land mass and 1/7th its population size, on account of which there is unmitigated population overflow into the relatively sparsely populated regions to the south-east: the Arkan side and the 'Seven Sisters' side of the Indian subcontinent in the North-east. Furthermore, this extensive, somewhat crude, rudimentary and inflexible monitoring mechanism, seems not to be countenanced by the fact that the five major rivers in the region, including the Sankosh, Kaliganj and Tursha, divide the flat plains into sections making travel extremely tedious and difficult. It is egregious, indeed overkill, because cross-border migration occurs largely in corridoors: Jhaukutty, Satrasal and Agomoni from the Kuegam side of the border to be precise; and along the South Salmara, Kedar, Binnachorra, and Balabhoot regions. Far better augmentation of the existing monitoring mechanism can be achieved by strengthening patrols and running agents within these corridoors. Truckloads of illegal goods also move on a daily basis from Dinhata and Sahebgunj in Cooch Behar.
  
  
• From the purely communal aspect, this trend is hazardous- as E.N. Rammohan, former Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), notes that, over the years continual illegal migration of both Hindus and Muslims from Bangladesh has completely altered the demography of the borders in South Bengal. As the Census Report of 1991 observed, concurrent to a 51 percent rise in the average density of population in the country per square kilometer over the 1981 level, West Bengal recorded a quantum increase at 151 persons per square kilometer. Muslim and Hindu migrants also tend to settle in largely homogenous, exclusionary groups, facilitating a divisive, contumacious scenario that could act as a catalyst to communal dissent. In a status paper on illegal immigration filed in January 1999 in the Supreme Court in response to a petition, the Government of West Bengal admitted that 1,240,000 Bangladeshis who entered the State with travel documents between 1972 and 1998 had simply melted away into the local population, while another 570,000 had been pushed back into Bangladesh. The document further stated that, till 1997, the intercepted infiltrators in West Bengal were summarily dispatched, but after 1997 this practice was discontinued. Thus, according to Partha Ghosh, in some districts, the Bangladeshis in their desperate bid to seek refuge in India have even hijacked the legal procedure of immigration.
  
  
• Furthermore, the political landscape is affected by the fact that the border abuts five Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. Historically, the border, derived from the Radcliffe line drawn arbitarrily on a map, was never demarcated on ground. The result: inordinate complications with the border cutting through the middle of several villages and in some cases, houses where the front door opens into India and the rear into Bangladesh. This pecuiliar artifact of colonial vestiges has also led to the problem of enclaves: patches of territory claimed sovereign by both states within each others' borders. A joint working panel set up in 1974 to resolve the issue estimates that there are 51 Bangladeshi enclaves within Indian territory in total, with a cumulative area of 7,110 acres, and 111 Indian enclaves measuring 17,158 acres in Bangladesh. Inadequate census operations in Bangladesh mean that population figures for these enclaves are not available, but they may be assumed to be high. Similarly, there exist 52 pieces of land which belong to Bangladesh but are in the adverse possession of India and 49 pieces of land belonging to India that are in the adverse possession of Bangladesh. An ambitious enterprise such as this involving the erection of camps should not be undertaken before the resolution of these issues, for the placement of the camps further complicates competing claims to the validity of sovereignty enclaves.
  
  
• Unviable purely from the point of policing- Despite the limitations in the number of authorized transit checkpoints for goods and people along the border, people continue to cross over with consummate ease. The ethno-cultural proximity of populations on both sides of the border, the absence of effective physical barriers and inadequate vigilance by officials particularly in West Bengal and Bangladesh, have engendered a situation in which irregular and unofficial trade across both sides of the border thrives. The total volume of unofficial exports to Bangladesh is estimated at as much as 11.65 billion Rupees annually, for which West Bengal accounts for approximately 96 percent. The livelihoods of several people depend upon the transaction of this copious, yet unlicensed activity- and I am not so sure it would be such a good idea atleast now to close it down.
  
  
• All this is complicated by the elaborate network of border agents and stakeholders that has emerged along the border. Migration takes place primarily through armed gangs with the active support and connivance of local politicians- primarily for electoral ends. I fear the "border checkposts" will become yet another ganglion in the never-ending flow of corruption and nepotism.

I acknowledge, with gratitude, the contribution of the article "India-Bangladesh: Restoring Sovereignty on Neglected Borders" by Lakshman Kanchaan and Sanjay K. Jha to this post.

India to discuss Tipaimukh with Bangla's Foreign Minister : 07th sep09 ~ E-Pao! Headlines



Imphal, September 06, 2009: The entire gamut of bilateral ties, including the Tipaimukh dam issue, sharing of river waters, trade, border management and combating terrorism, are expected to come up for discussion at a "congenial ambience" during Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni's 4-day visit to India beginning tomorrow

This is Moni's first official trip to the neighbouring country since the installation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League to power eight months ago following the historic December 29 general elections in Bangladesh.

Officials said the bilateral ties, including the contentious issue of the hydro-electric Tipaimukh dam whose construction by India is opposed by the Opposition BNP here, are expected to be discussed during Moni's talks with her Indian counterpart SM Krishna.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, in his then capacity as External Affairs Minister, had held talks with Moni on February 9, when he visited Dhaka mainly to convey India's good wishes to the new Government led by Awami League, widely regarded as a traditional ally of the Congress party.

Officials familiar with Moni's visit process said India was keen to "bridge differences with Bangladesh" on sensitive matters like Tipakimukh and move ahead on trade and transit.

Trade, investment, sharing waters of the common rivers, including the Teesta, border management, connectivity and security issues were other topics likely to figure prominently during the MoniKrishna talks, they said.

Official sources said the two sides were likely to focus on enhancing connectivity and giving a fresh momentum to expanding economic engagement that would help in reducing "trust deficit" to resolve complex issues like border management, infiltration and illegal migration and terrorism.

Political and foreign analysts said the installation of Awami League and Congress to power in the two countries created a congenial ambience to settle the longstanding issues through constructive negotiations because of the historic links between the two parties since the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The trade deficit is one such major issue while Dhaka has been pressing for long to remove para and non-tariff barriers to Bangladeshi exports in a bid to reduce the yawning trade gap that accounts for over USD 2,566 million.

Business analysts said Bangladesh looks for stepping up its exports to the landlocked seven North Eastern States and close the trade imbalance if the barriers were removed.

The two countries also share over 50 common rivers and there had not been any progress in distribution of waters of the seven other rivers, including the Teesta, though the landmark 1996 Ganges Water Treaty during the previous tenure of Hasina.

The proposed Tipaimukh Dam on the Barak River in Manipur dominated the centre stage of Bangladesh-India-relations in the past several months though New Delhi assured Dhaka nothing would be done under the project which could affect Bangladesh.

According to officials, India has made as many as four proposals, including the signing of an extradition treaty, mutual legal assistance against terrorism and exchange of sentenced prisoners, to be signed between the two countries.

"We have suggested going ahead with the proposals after considering our laws, but the final decision has to be made by the highest office of the Government," said an official familiar with the process.

Moni's visit comes as India has been seeking more land-route connectivity through Bangladesh to boost trading in its seven North Eastern States while it has a long-pending proposal seeking to use Bangladesh's port facilities alongside the road transit.

No major headway in this regard was witnessed in the past years in view of what analysts said "sensitivity" in bilateral relations.

"All these issues are under discussion and we are expecting them to take a shape as Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is visiting New Delhi.

Let us see how best we can reach agreements on these issues," Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty recently told PTI as he emphasised the importance of "political will" in making the longstanding proposals.

Seas 'threaten 20m in Bangladesh'

Up to 20 million people in low-lying Bangladesh are at risk from rising sea levels in the coming decades, according to new research.Scientists predict that salty water could reach far inland, making it hard to cultivate staple foods like rice. The research comes as the government appeals for $5bn (£3bn) over five years to combat climate change. In May, Cyclone Aila left thousands homeless, killed many and caused widespread flooding and damage. The predictions come from the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (Cegis) in Bangladesh. It suggests a surprisingly small area of land will be permanently lost to the waters, but notes that vast tracts in the south-west could be inundated every monsoon season.

Full Story

BSF, BDR brass make peace moves at border

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 at 0514 hrs Kolkata:




Stressing that there was an overwhelming need to reduce the number of deaths in cross-border firing during intrusion along the Indo-Bangla border, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) agreed to create awareness among residents along both sides of the border.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting in Dhaka between the BSF and BDR held from July 11-14, Director General (BSF) M L Kumawat said on Tuesday after returning from Dhaka. While Kumawat led the BSF delegation, the BDR delegation was led by Major General Moinul Islam.

The forces will ask the residents not to venture near the border areas at night. “This will help in reducing killings of innocent villagers along the border. According to our statistics, 85 per cent people were killed at night,” Kumawat said.

He said the BSF has identified 46 places where there is no fencing and stressed on immediate fencing in the area to prevent border-related crimes.

The BSF has also urged their counterparts in Bangladesh to take action against terrorist camps operating in their territory. The Bangladeshi side, however, said that no terror camps exist on their soil as per their knowledge.

“We have given a list of 77 most wanted fugitives hiding in Bangladesh and requested them to start a thorough operation to arrest them. They assured us of action in case they get any information about such camps. We have also provided them with information about Dawood Ibrahim’s associates active along the border areas in Bangladesh,” Kumawat said.

He said the meeting was a breakthrough in the relationship between the BDR and BSF. “We have decided for joint border management to check crimes along the border. With this meeting we can hope for a better future and hope there will be no confrontation between the BSF and BDR,” he added.


BSF, BDR brass make peace moves at border

Northeast terror news-India, B?desh discuss issues relating to NE insurgents

India and Bangladesh today discussed issues related to north-east insurgents taking shelter in that country amid New Delhi's expectation that the Sheikh Hasina government would crack down on them.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his visiting counterpart Dipu Moni also discussed steps to boost trade and connectivity and various developmental programmes that can be undertaken through collaborative efforts.


Moni, on her maiden bilateral visit, also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which the status of the relations was reviewed.

Krishna and Moni held wide-ranging talks that covered the entire gamut of bilateral ties, including security issues, connectivity, trade and border problems.

The security aspects covered the issue of north east insurgents taking shelter in Bangladesh, with India expecting that the Hasina government would crack down on them considering its strong resolve to fight terrorism.

The two sides also discussed ways to build on their ties in other fields.

India has already taken a number of unilateral steps to create a "positive" atmosphere with Bangladesh. These include India's decision to allow duty free import of eight million pieces of garments, various concessions under the Least Developed Country category and lifting of ban on FDI.

India, B`desh to ink pacts for transfer of terrorists

New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Thursday decided to sign agreements which will provide for transfer of terrorists and criminals, including sentenced persons, a move that could enable deportation of north-east insurgents taking shelter in the neighbouring country.

The two countries also decided on a slew of other measures, including starting of border 'haats (markets)' and movement of containerised cargo by rail and water for bilateral trade.


In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the four-day visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, the two sides agreed to conclude the mutual legal assistance treaty on criminal matters.

The decision, which was arrived at during talks between Moni and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, will enable transfer of terrorists and criminals wanted in either country.

In India's context, it will provide a legal framework for seeking deportation of northeast insurgents who take shelter in Bangladesh.

The two countries also decided to conclude an agreement of transfer of sentenced persons. This pact will also facilitate deportation of insurgents who have been arrested and sentenced in Bangladesh like ULFA leader Anup Chetia.

Chetia is set to be released from prison in Bangladesh soon and India has already made a request that he should be handed over.

Krishna and Moni also decided to sign an agreement on combating international terrorism, organized crime and illegal drug trafficking.

They directed officials to meet and discuss technical and other parameters to finalise an agreement for sharing of the waters of Teesta river.

The two leaders agreed to immediately commence Joint Hydrological Observations on the river. They also agreed to undertake bank protection works, dredging of Ichhamati river and minor irrigation/drinking water schemes on Feni river.

India agreed to provide at least 100 MW to Bangladesh on a priority basis. It will also undertake a feasibility study on power grid inter-connectivity for transmission lines to Bangladesh.

The two countries discussed designating Ashuganj as a new port of call under the Inland Water Transit and Trade Agreement as well as the use of Chittagong port by India.

Bangladesh side agreed to provide access to Ashuganj Port to facilitate transportation of the Over Dimensional Consignments for the Palatana Power Project in Tripura.

India agreed in principle to provide a Line of Credit for railway projects and supply of locomotives, coaches and buses.

India also offered to take up construction of Akhaura- Agartala railway link.

fullstory

Bangla seeks deportation of Mujibur Rehman's killers from US

Washington, Sept 17 (PTI) Bangladesh has sought from the United States the deportation of its first president Mujibur Rahman's killers who are reportedly living in that country.

The request in this regard was made by the visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni during her meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department yesterday.

"I sought her cooperation in deporting the killers of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, some of whom have reportedly been living in the US," Moni told reporters at a joint press conference with Clinton after the meeting.

Father of present Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founder of Bangladesh and the country's first president after it was separated from Pakistan in 1971.

Mujibur Rahman was assassinated by a group of junior army officers on August 15, 1975.

Naga rebels kill six in Bangladesh camp, held at Tripura border

October 5th, 2009


Agartala, Oct 5 (IANS) Five militants of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), who had allegedly killed six of their colleagues, were detained while while they were crossing the Bangladesh border into Tripura, officials said Monday.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, including five AK-series rifles and some grenades, as well as Bangladeshi currency were found with the terrorists, aged 21 to 24 years, who were detained late Sunday by troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF).

“Following a crisis of food and other essentials, NSCN-IM cadres engaged in a gunbattle with their superiors at their camp at Ghagrachari in eastern Bangladesh Saturday. Killing six senior NSCN-IM militants, they deserted their camps and tried to come to India before they were apprehended by the BSF,” a senior BSF official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

The Naga militants tried to cross the India-Bangladesh border through Chetlang in northern Tripura, 185 km north of here, but BSF troopers intercepted them in a surprise action, added north Tripura district police chief Arjun Debbarma.

They had been handed to police and produced in a local court.

The Tripura government has informed Nagaland and asked that the five be taken back to the state. They had joined the NSCN-IM four years ago.

“A team of Nagaland police is likely to come to Tripura soon to take back the militants,” Debbarma told IANS over the phone. He refused to disclose details of the interrogation of the Naga rebels.

New Delhi had signed a ceasefire pact with the NSCN-IM in 1997. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then.

In July, police in Tripura had arrested seven members of the Manipur based People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), including their self-styled army chief Mohammad Abdur Rahman from Agartala.

According to Tripura Director General of Police Pranay Sahay, the NSCN-IM had formed the PULF in 1995.

Police in Manipur had taken custody of the PULF guerrillas.


Naga rebels kill six in Bangladesh camp, held at Tripura border | Sindh Today - Online News

Has our indian government set up any working panel with the bangladesh government to cooperate on climate change and cross-border terrorism.
We should do well to share technology with this needy country on combating climate change. We can set up a grid of lasers along the border and integrate it with a control center in india and focus our troops places that trigger disturbance. Night vision cameras can be camaflouged and checked for infiltration on the disturbed area to prevent false alarms and if confirmed of intrusion a strategic operation can be performed by our commandos.

Amid growing diplomatic tension between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Dhaka has reinforced troops deployment along the border with its eastern neighbour as it protested against erecting of a border fence by Yangon.

The border guard Bangladesh Rifles has cancelled all but essential leaves as tension mounted along the Naikhyangchhari border in Bandarban after Myanmar resumed border fencing on Friday. Myanmar also reinforced army deployment on its side of the border.

The Home Ministry asked the Director General of the Bangladesh Rifles to keep their forces "on alert" along the border.

"Troop deployment in the border has been reinforced and all but essential leaves of BDR personnel have been cancelled," Major General Mohammad Mainul Islam, Director General of the Bangladesh Rifles, was quoted as saying by the New Age newspaper on Wednesday.

Islam said BDR troops had been deployed along sensitive areas in the border and other preparation had also been made.

Dhaka may need to resume diplomatic efforts to stop intrusion of Myanmar citizens into the Bangladesh territory seeking shelter or employment, a home ministry official said, adding intrusion into Bangladesh was damaging the country's overseas labour market and reputation of its workers.

"Most of the illegal migrant workers, including boatmen in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and other places along the Bangladesh coast are Myanmar citizens," a source said, quoting an intelligence agency report
B'desh steps up troops deployment on Myanmar border amid row- Hindustan Times

Last year naval vessels from both countries were facing one another after the Burmese side reportedly began exploring in the area for oil and gas last year in November.

Bangladesh insists that the area lies well within its waters and has formally protested over the issue. Burmese navy has responded by alleged that the Bangladesh ships are trespassing in Burmese territory. Bangladesh government has recently taken measures to exploit the oil-rich Bay of Bengal, which have angered the leadership in Rangoon.

Both countries deployed navy ships but withdrew them when Myanmar halted the exploration amid intense diplomatic pressure. Troops on both side are on the highest alert.

Myanmar Border
Govt mobilises troops
Hasan Jahid Tusher and M Abul Kalam Azad

Bangladesh has reinforced its troops along the border with Myanmar as tension went high following repeated provocative acts by the latter's military forces including violation of international border and illegal construction of barbed-wire fences along the frontier.

Highly-placed sources in the government said the reinforcement was required as the Myanmar military junta deployed huge troops with heavy weapons within five kilometres of the border and many of them frequently intruded into Bangladesh territory, added the sources.

Bangladesh in the past always resolved all disputes with its neighbours through bilateral discussion but this time the authorities had taken it seriously and they are taking steps accordingly, said the sources.

The tension ran high as Myanmar troops fired several shots towards Bangladesh territory, witnesses said.

Paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles were kept on high alert yesterday along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

"Myanmar troops intruded into Bangladesh territory several times which is a serious threat to country's security," said an armed forces division report submitted to the government with its recommendations.

A group of Myanmar troops from engineering corps of its Medaik camp trespassed into Bangladesh territory to gather information about Bangladesh on September 29, the report said, adding that after the intrusion Bangladesh army was put on high alert there.

In recent years and months, Myanmar authorities have constructed new roads, military war obstacles including bunkers along the borders, renovated a nearby airport and started fencing the border as part of its provocative activities.

Myanmar has already constructed 42-kilometre long road and 9-kilometre war obstacles for its troops and set up concrete pillars on a 10-kilometre area along the border.

Bangladesh has protested Myanmar's such provocative acts time and again but the military junta did not pay any heed, sources in the foreign ministry told The Daily Star.

Sources said the Myanmar junta had renovated and expanded Sittwe Airport known as Arakan Airport and started flying aircraft for military exercise from there two to three days back which also increased tension on the Bangladesh side.

They added that the airport had remained abandoned for military aircrafts since the Second World War and a few small civil aircrafts used to fly from it.

"Myanmar has been making all-out preparations keeping in view Bangladesh," said a senior government official not authorised to talk to media.

Foreign ministry officials said Bangladesh has repeatedly requested Myanmar authorities to stop such provocations but they showed no restraint.

Following fresh tension, an army brigade has been moved to Fashiakhali of Ramu to closely monitor the activities of Myanmar troops. Police, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Ansar members were also increased in the bordering region over the past few days.

"Extra soldiers were also deployed in some bordering upazilas of Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Cox's Bazar districts," Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told The Daily Star yesterday, adding that the government is seriously concerned over the recent events on the border.

Our Bandarban correspondent Monirul Islam Monu adds: Bangladesh troops have been kept on high alert at Naikhhongchhari upazila in Bandarban and Hnila and Damdamia in Cox's Bazar district bordering Myanmar after the fresh tension.

Different unconfirmed sources said, in recent times 13 fighter planes were positioned at Sittwe Airport and 12 war ships anchored in the two rivers of Myanmar.

In November last year, Myanmar warships entered into Bangladesh maritime boundary to guard its exploration vessels, fomenting enormous tension between the two countries as both the countries mobilised their troops on the borders.

Myanmar had to withdraw the warships and the oil and gas exploration rigs as Bangladesh initiated both bilateral and international negotiations to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The Daily Star - Details News