Thaindian News

Dhaka, May 6 (IANS) India’s claim that 40 percent of those killed while illegally crossing the border with Bangladesh are Indian nationals was Friday doubted by a leading newspaper that accused New Delhi of “lack of seriousness” in tackling the issue.

The Daily Star in an editorial wondered from where Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao got the figure of 40 percent of those killed being Indians.

“We are not quite sure how this figure has been arrived at. Even so, it raises the disturbing spectre of a border force, India’s (Border Security Force), inclined to be trigger-happy,” the newspaper said.

The debate on the sensitive issue between the South Asian neighbours was revived during the two-day visit of Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari.

This is the highest visit by an Indian dignitary in last two years and is perceived as part of the preparations for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit here later this year.

“For us in Bangladesh, all this talk of joint efforts to contain the problem is something we have heard earlier as well. There have been assurances aplenty on the need to tackle the issue,” the newspaper said.

Dhaka alleges that the BSF has killed over a thousand people in last one decade.

BSF says its men fire “in self defence” as many crossing the border in early hours - smuggling goods, cattle, arms and drugs - are armed.

The editorial said: “Such attitudes have only revealed an absence of seriousness on the part of those concerned about the issue. In turn, there has been a lack of willingness to deal head-on with the problem.

“All said and done, though, it is the expectation that Ms. Rao’s sentiments will mark the beginning of a fresh new approach to the border killing issue. Let Bangladesh and India get down to serious talks, for shooting people dead on the border raises the question of human rights as well,” the newspaper observed.