The border guards of India and Bangladesh – BSF and BGB – have agreed to educate border population to maintain ‘sanctity’ of the international border and prevent any push back from either side. The decision came in a sector commander level flag meeting after the firing incident at Burimari border on April 23, BSF said while explaining the firing.
BSF troops deployed at ICP Changrabandha observed ‘suspicious’ movement of four to five Bangladesh nationals at a distance of approximately 40 to 50 meters approaching the from international boundary on the evening of April 23.
It was witnessed that one BGB constable ex BGB BOP Burimari, deployed at Asian Highway, was directing one person present in Bangladesh territory to go inside Indian Territory. At the same time, approx. 350-400 Bangladesh nationals gathered on Asian Highway, and started shouting and hurling abuses.
On being informed by ICP Commander some personnel of BOP Changrabandha rushed to the spot. On reaching at the spot BSF troops opposed illegal pushing of person into Indian Territory.
Paying no heed to the request, BGB constable provoked Bangladesh nationals and consequently the unruly mob of Bangladesh nationals resorted to stone pelting on BSF troops, BSF said.
“Taking into consideration non-lethal strategy and assessing the evolving situation, BSF troops fires four nos of PAG shells in the air to disperse the unruly mob to deter their nefarious intentions of push-in. “As a result, Bangladesh nationals stopped pelting stone, slightly retreated inside. No injury from either side has been reported,” they said.
“At around 6.35 pm, a contact was established between Commandant 148 Bn BSF and 61 BGB to defuse the situation in consonance of Confidence building Measures Plan (CBMP).
“CO BGB was requested to facilitate Coy Commander level flag meeting but same could not materialise due to continued presence of a mob of Bangladesh nationals at a distance approx. 30 mtrs from international bordr inside Bangladesh territory.
“On 24 April at about 12.40 pm, Sector Commander level flag meeting was held. During flag meeting BSF refuted aimed fire by BSF which caused pellet injury to one Sepoy of BGB as claimed by BGB, stating that the PAG fire was to disperse the unruly mob.
“On being asked for the photo and video evidence, BGB could not provide the same,” BSF said. BSF also raised the point that border population of Bangladesh attempts pushing “mentally unsound” people frequently in India. Both sides discussed the issue and agreed to educate border population.
