Firing along Indo-Bangla border, BDR build-up continues

BSF officials said BDR fired in at least three places -– Muktapur, Noljuri and Ratangtila in Jaintia Hills district last evening. A heavy exchange of fire with the BSF ensued, creating panic among the residents along the border.

There was a build-up by BDR along some stretches opposite the areas of adverse possession which continued on Friday, the BSF said.

The officials said BSF fired in the air and detained a purported armed BDR personnel on Thursday who along with several others tried to intrude into Indian territory.
In the evening, BDR men fired in at least three places in an apparent retaliation of the morning incident.

Three to four Bangladeshis backed by BDR personnel entered the adverse possession land held by India at Muktapur near Dawki last evening. The BSF troopers first warned them and later resorted to firing one round in the air to prevent them, the officials said.

The apprehended BDR personnel was later handed over to the Bangladeshi authorities at a flag meeting, the BSF said, adding a protest was also lodged with the Bangladesh authorities over the incident. There was no casualty in the firing, the BSF said.

There were at least six violations of status quo by BDR along the international border in 2009 as the Bangladeshi border guards obstructed Indian villagers from cultivating and confronted BSF patrols in disputed areas on the Meghalaya border, defence sources said.
The BDR had also made an attempt to stake claim over the disputed Pyrdiwah area last year but later agreed to maintain status quo after protests by the BSF, the sources added.