Editorial
Management of our borders
Take a holistic approach
TAKING a comprehensive approach with regard to supervision of our borders would be our advice to those entrusted with the task. Managing our border with efficiency is not an easy task. It calls for a wide-ranging policy that would involve all the relevant agencies directly in all that is happening in and around the border.
It is in this light that we welcome the idea of the BDR to suggest policy options to the government which would provide an integrated mechanism for border management, and which will involve directly all the agencies, which is not the case at the moment. We cannot accept a situation where there is a serious lack of coordination among the agencies assigned to look after the border, which help, rather than prevent, harmful activities including smuggling.
It will do well for all to keep in mind that ours is not a border that fits the normal definition of borders. While there will have to be a humane approach in managing the border, at the same time it does very little to enhance the efficiency of the lead agency in the area (BDR in this case) when the agencies look upon each other as competitor rather than one which complement the other in performing their respective tasks proficiently.
Border management is not merely manning the border posts but involves a variety of activities aimed at enhancing the oversight capability and movement of persons and goods and vehicles across the border while at the same time preventing unauthorised movements. And in this regard what perhaps deserves consideration is the idea of setting up a coordinating body, under a designated senior functionary, to act as the coordinating and directing agency. This can be named as the integrated border management group, as can be found in a few other countries too.
This arrangement, we hope, would not only bring the function of all the relevant agencies under the control a single body, this we are sure would also help speed up the required infrastructural development work to support the function of border management that now involves more than one ministry, naturally costing more time in the process.
While the nation has a stake in how the border affairs are run, it is certainly the people living along the border region that have a direct interest in a peaceful and quiet border. And it is a very good idea to involve them in the process through forming local committees consisting of local leaders and reputed persons of the locality.
We think that the suggestions of the Bangladesh Rifles deserve serious consideration of the government.
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