Border rules not followed by BSF

Says BDR chief
Staff Correspondent, Sylhet

Trans-border issues including "adverse possessed lands" would be tabled in the director general-level conference beginning from March 7 in New Delhi, said Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Chief Maj Gen Md Mainul Islam yesterday.

"The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) are off to occupy our lands on the plea of having adverse possessed lands," Mainul Islam said.

The BDR director general (DG) is expected to lead a 19-member delegation in the five-day DG-level conference.

While visiting Dibir Haor area in Jaintapur, the DG told journalists that steps had been taken to make the border guards better equipped. A major reshuffle in BDR is underway through which facilities of BDR jawans would be increased, he added.

He made the visit amid a tense situation between the border guards of the two countries. Earlier on February 27, BDR and BSF exchanged gunshots over intrusion of Indian nationals into Bangladesh territory.

He regretted that despite repeated urge BSF is not following the border rules and intrude into Bangladesh territory.

He said a new outpost would be set up in Dibir Haor as the existing outposts are less in number than that of the Indian counterpart.

During a briefing at Sylhet BDR headquarters later in the afternoon, he accused BSF of firing at innocent Bangladeshi civilians. "They even made children and quarry labourers their targets," he said.

The BDR jawans were left with no choice but to retaliate, said the BDR chief.

Sylhet Sector Commander Col Neamul Islam Fatemi and other officials accompanied the DG during his visit. Mainul Islam also met Shillong BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) RK Ravigandhi during his visit at Dibir Haor border.

Throughout February, the Indians have repeatedly attempted to fish in Dibir Haor and Kendri Beel area. But they failed in the face of resistance by locals and BDR jawans.