Mekhliganj: Bangladesh is making all efforts to thwart attempts by India to secure unfenced parts of the border between the two countries.
A major stand-off between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) occurred at the zero point of the sensitive Dahagram-Angarpota border enclave area on Friday. This is near the Tin Bigha Corridor in Mekhliganj, in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.
After a thrust by the new Suvendu Adhikari-led government in West Bengal, officials, escorted by BSF personnel, were engaged in land acquisition work on the Indian side of the zero-line when they were interrupted by Bangladeshi villagers and BGB personnel.
In a video shared on social media, a BGB personnel is heard telling the BSF troops present that any work within 150 yards of the zero-line can only be undertaken after informing the Bangladeshi side.
No permanent structure can be set up within 150 yards of the zero-line, the BGB personnel added.
The Indian administrative officials refused to back down, continuing the land acquisition and survey mapping through the afternoon under a heavy BSF security blanket, despite the aggressive posturing and vocal objections from across the border, as reported by Republic TV.
Those present at the spot later said that the standoff escalated into highly provocative, heated verbal exchanges between the two border forces. The atmosphere along the border turned decidedly hostile, taking on a “war-like” intensity by evening.
BSF reinforcements allegedly moved into tactical defensive positions along the zero line, fearing a potential breach.
Jawans were seen lying prone in the dirt, weapons loaded, aimed, and ready to respond to any hostile movement, witnesses said.
The BGB personnel and Bangladeshi civilians eventually retreated under the cover of darkness. While the immediate threat has subsided, BSF battalions remain on high alert along the North Bengal frontier, maintaining a strict vigil to deter further provocations.
Over the last few days, the West Bengal government has reiterated its commitment to fence off the open stretches, in a bid to block infiltration, human trafficking and cross-border smuggling.
