INDIAN decision to install mobile towers near border
Dhaka urges Delhi to reconsider plan
Bangladesh has conveyed its concern to India over the neighbouring countrys decision of installing 400-500 mobile towers near the border and requested them to reconsider the move.
Outgoing Chairman of Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Sunil Kanti Bose conveyed the Bangladeshi stance to the Indian authorities at the 16th meeting of South Asian Telecommunication Regulators Council (SATRC) held in New Delhi between August 25 and 27.
Countries, who share borders with India, also joined the meet, hosted by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). These countries have also shared their concern with India over the issue on the sidelines of the meet.
At the meeting, the BTRC chairman told the Indian authorities that such move will increase smuggling and human trafficking, and put border security at risk.
In the last quarter of July, India said they have taken the move to provide telecom services to Border Security Force personnel and the people living along the borders.
However, in June, three weeks prior to the decision taken by the Indian government, Bangladesh decided it will not install any mobile towers within three kilometre areas of its territory along the borders with India and Myanmar.
BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam said the decision was taken at a meeting of the BTRC with representatives from ministries and security agencies concerned.
Smuggling, human trafficking, and the issue of security concern were discussed at the meeting. The meeting decided that no mobile towers will be set up in three kilometre area of Bangladesh territory along its borders with Myanmar and India, he added.
If, in any case, setting up mobile towers becomes necessary in any given area, both the countries can do so with prior permission from Border Guard Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh authorities decision, Alam added.
So, Bangladesh now expects that India would respect its decision regarding the installation of mobile towers, keeping in mind the issues of smuggling, human trafficking, and border security.
Indias state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) received a permission from its home ministry to set up 400 to 500 mobile towers near border outposts on its north-east borders. These mobile towers will be set up mainly along the borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Bhutan, and the work will start from Assam, BSNL sources added.
Rajib Yadav, general manager of BSNL Assam circle, said the BSF members and the local people along the border areas will be benefited once the mobile towers are set up.
The Indian authorities claim the move will not affect telecom services along the border. Bangladesh, however, is prioritising smuggling and security issues over telecom services along the border area.
Earlier, in July, after coming to know the Indian decision regarding mobile towers, Bangladesh government expressed concern over the Indian move to set up the mobile towers near the border.
Dhaka had said it will convey to New Delhi that placement of towers near the border will increase smuggling and human trafficking, and put border security at risk.
