08-19-2005, 07:28 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Tension on Indo-Bangla border as BSF, BDR exchange fire
Kolkata, Aug. 19 (PTI): In the worst confrontation on the Indo-Bangladesh frontier in recent months, border forces of the two countries today exchanged heavy fire thrice in Malda district of West Bengal, triggering tension.
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) opened unprovoked fire towards India at Adampur and Muchia outposts early in the morning in an attempt to prevent embankment work by the Malda district authorities in Mahananda river, about 250 metres away from the International Border, in tune with the border agreement, police and BSF officials said.
BSF personnel retaliated to the BDR action.
Subsequently, the two forces exchanged fire twice till about 11 AM, they said, adding around 500 rounds were fired in the skirmishes. There was no report of any casualty.
People living in border villages have been evacuated to a safe distance, officials in Malda said.
BSF Deputy Inspector General Ramesh Singh, told PTI in New Delhi that although firing had stopped for some time, tension prevailed in the area.
He said senior BSF officials were trying to contact their BDR counterparts to sort out the dispute through talks.
Singh said BDR firing was unprovoked and unwarranted as the embankment work was being undertaken well inside the Indian territory to check large-scale erosion by the Mahananda river which serves as a demarcating line between the two countries.
"Moreover, the work, needed urgently, is a temporary measure to check erosion," the DIG said, adding the Bangladesh side had no reason to object to it.
The work was disrupted due to firing, he said.
Malda Superintendent of Police Dilip Mandal, said it was decided that the two sides would undertake the work simultaneously. But, the BSF was forced to begin the work today as the Muchia outpost, three km from Adampur, was threatened due to large-scale erosion.
When the BSF was about to begin the work, the BDR opened fire forcing the Indian security forces posted at the two outposts to retaliate.
North Bengal Inspector-General of Police K L Meena, said the work was undertaken away from the stipulated 150 yards from zero line on the Indian side. "Therefore, no objection can be raised by the BDR as far as international border rules are concerned," he said.
Singh said the dispute over embankment is some months old and it has already been referred to the Joint River Water Commission.
"A team has visited the area and said erosion on the Indian side was significant, requiring embankment," the BSF DIG said, adding the recent rains had worsened the situation after which remedial measures were undertaken on urgent basis.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000...191601.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Kolkata, Aug. 19 (PTI): In the worst confrontation on the Indo-Bangladesh frontier in recent months, border forces of the two countries today exchanged heavy fire thrice in Malda district of West Bengal, triggering tension.
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) opened unprovoked fire towards India at Adampur and Muchia outposts early in the morning in an attempt to prevent embankment work by the Malda district authorities in Mahananda river, about 250 metres away from the International Border, in tune with the border agreement, police and BSF officials said.
BSF personnel retaliated to the BDR action.
Subsequently, the two forces exchanged fire twice till about 11 AM, they said, adding around 500 rounds were fired in the skirmishes. There was no report of any casualty.
People living in border villages have been evacuated to a safe distance, officials in Malda said.
BSF Deputy Inspector General Ramesh Singh, told PTI in New Delhi that although firing had stopped for some time, tension prevailed in the area.
He said senior BSF officials were trying to contact their BDR counterparts to sort out the dispute through talks.
Singh said BDR firing was unprovoked and unwarranted as the embankment work was being undertaken well inside the Indian territory to check large-scale erosion by the Mahananda river which serves as a demarcating line between the two countries.
"Moreover, the work, needed urgently, is a temporary measure to check erosion," the DIG said, adding the Bangladesh side had no reason to object to it.
The work was disrupted due to firing, he said.
Malda Superintendent of Police Dilip Mandal, said it was decided that the two sides would undertake the work simultaneously. But, the BSF was forced to begin the work today as the Muchia outpost, three km from Adampur, was threatened due to large-scale erosion.
When the BSF was about to begin the work, the BDR opened fire forcing the Indian security forces posted at the two outposts to retaliate.
North Bengal Inspector-General of Police K L Meena, said the work was undertaken away from the stipulated 150 yards from zero line on the Indian side. "Therefore, no objection can be raised by the BDR as far as international border rules are concerned," he said.
Singh said the dispute over embankment is some months old and it has already been referred to the Joint River Water Commission.
"A team has visited the area and said erosion on the Indian side was significant, requiring embankment," the BSF DIG said, adding the recent rains had worsened the situation after which remedial measures were undertaken on urgent basis.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000...191601.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->