Might is not right!

Whenever the shooting and killing incidents take place, the Indians come up with some conventional explanations--some Bangladeshis tried to cut open the fence, some intruded into Indian territory with 'lethal' weapons like stones and 'da' (a small sharp instrument used to chop bamboo etc), some were smugglers or dacoits, some stepped beyond the zero point and so forth. Besides killing, there are umpteen instances of dragging bodies inside the Indian territory and kidnapping. Whatever might be their version, is it permissible in the interest of humanity, international law and good neighbourliness to start shooting citizens of another country with the intention to kill? Off and on they are amassing troops, digging bunkers, rolling in heavy armaments. Are all these in the name of maintaining peace and stability in the region when India aspires to become a reckonable power in Asia?

Bangladesh is a small overcrowded country beset with problems on multiple fronts. It does not have the energy or desire to play border games with a mighty neighbour. India and Bangladesh are taking up joint ventures in many fields and even some giant Indian enterprises are going to invest billions in this country. The people share a common heritage and culture and no sign of enmity ever existed between them. But the motive of the BSF is shrouded in foggy intentions. Do they find it more convenient to go on creating trouble on the fronts for their own interest? Do they act independently of the directives from the top? It is clear that the DG, BSF and the union government have till now failed to rein the BSF in and whack them back to the right track. It is time the Indian leaders had taken stern measures to stop the killing of innocent people in a neighbouring state.

The issue can perhaps be settled in three ways. A ministerial level joint enquiry committee may immediately be set up to go deep into the roots of the incidents and put up recommendations; introduction of joint patrolling by troops from both sides; no order to shoot should ever be given by an officer below the rank of a Captain or his equivalent. This does not debar the patrol from arresting the offenders and handing them over to police.

I began with the Sophists and now end with Rousseau who said, since Might can produce no Right, the only foundation left for legitimate authority in human societies is Agreement. Consent and agreement are two basic conditions for peaceful living. I find no escape from the present situation except a firm workable agreement between the two countries at the top level, strictly prohibiting border mishaps and misunderstandings for the greater benefit of both the countries.