BSF again tries to erect barbed wire fence in border, stops after BGB intervenes
As per the international law, no fence can be built within 150 yards of the border. However, the Indian BSF tried to erect a fence within approximately 20 yards of the zero line inside India, said a BGB official
India's Border Security Force (BSF) once again tried to erect a barbed wire fence along the border area in Joypurhat today (21 January), prompting the Border Guard Bangladesh to intervene.
The incident took place in the Uchna Sonatola border area at Dharanji union of Pancbibi upazila this morning, according to BGB and local sources.
The BSF tried to erect a barbed wire fence along the 34, 35 and 36 sub-pillars of Pillar-281, said Shah Jahan, commander of BOP Camp-20, Hat Khola, Joypurhat.
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As per the international law, no fence can be built within 150 yards of the border. However, the Indian BSF tried to erect a fence within approximately 20 yards of the zero line inside India, said the BGB official.
After being informed of the matter by locals, BGB officials intervened and stopped the construction.
A flag meeting between the BGB and the BSF has been called in this regard, said Shah Jahan.
"We asked to stop the construction of barbed wire fence. BSF personnel have stopped the construction. We have called for a flag meeting today," he said.
Also speaking on the matter, 20-BGB Joypurhat Battalion's Captain Lt Col Nahid Newaz said, "BSF has stopped the construction. A flag meeting has been called at the company commander level of BGB-BSF regarding this matter. I hope the issue will be resolved in the flag meeting."
Situation remains volatile
The development comes as the situation along the Bangladesh-India border remains volatile with the BSF killing a Bangladeshi national in Sunamganj earlier this month, firing sound grenades and repeatedly attempting to erect fences ignoring calls from the BGB.
Earlier on 7 January, the BSF reportedly shot dead a Bangladeshi youth in the border area in Bishwambharpur upazila of Sunamganj.
On 8 January, the BGB held a flag meeting with the BSF amid rising tension over the construction of a barbed wire fence at the Chapainawabganj border by the latter.
Just days after, on 10 January, the BSF again attempted to build a fence on the 150-yard no-man's-land between the countries along Dahagram border in Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat, in breach of international laws.
On 11 January, local farmers in Satkhira reported that the BSF had stopped Bangladeshi farmers from cultivating their lands near the border.
Nazmul Hossain, a resident of Lakshidari village, claimed that he had leased 10 decimals of land from the Water Development Board along the Kumrakhali Canal near Bhomra.
On 11 January morning, he said BSF members prevented him from planting paddy, claiming the land belonged to India.
Another resident, Shaheen Gazi, stated that his father, Nazrul Gazi, had been farming one bigha of land near their home for over 50 years.
"On Saturday [11 January] afternoon, two labourers were stopped by BSF members from Ghojadanga while preparing the land for cultivation. The BSF claimed ownership of the plot," he said.
A flag meeting between the BGB and the BSF was called to resolve the matter.
On the same day, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi man was reportedly injured in firing by the BSF at the Azmatpur border in the Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. The injured is Shahidul Islam, the son of Anarul Islam of Bagichapara of the upazila.
Following the developments, Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the foreign ministry on 12 January to convey Dhaka's "deep concern" over the activities of the BSF.
During the meeting with the Indian envoy, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin stressed that unauthorised attempts to construct barbed-wire fencing and the related operational actions by the BSF have caused tensions and disturbances along the border.
On 13 January, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner Md Nural Islam and conveyed to Bangladesh that it observed all "protocols and agreements" between the two governments and border forces with regard to security measures along the borders, including fencing.
However, tension alongside the border continued to intensify.
On the same day, India summoned the Bangladeshi envoy, the BSF fired four blank rounds from a sound gun at the Shivtala area opposite the Ghojadanga border near the Bhomra border in Satkhira, creating panic among residents on the Bangladeshi side of the border.
Local resident Lutfor Rahman said, "During the Fajr prayer at dawn, I heard the sound of several gunshots. The Indian BSF fired blank rounds from the opposite side of the border."
On 18 January, three Bangladeshis sustained injuries in an attack by Indian nationals during a face-off amid the escalating tensions along the zero line of Chouka border in Chapainawabganj's Shibganj upazila.
On 20 January, the interim government authorised the BGB to use sound grenades and teargas shells to maintain security along the border, in light of the recent attacks and clashes between Indian and Bangladeshi citizens at the Chapainawabganj border.
