Staff Reporter:
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to construct a new road overnight near the Khalishakothal border in Fulbari upazila of Kurigram, very close to the Bangladesh border, local sources said. The planned road stretched nearly one kilometre.
Alerted by locals, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel arrived at the site and forced the BSF to halt construction. The Indian side gradually began removing construction materials.
A flag meeting between the BGB and the BSF was held Thursday noon near the international demarcation pillar 934.
The BGB was represented by Subedar Abu Taher, camp commander of Balarhat under Lalmonirhat-15 Battalion, while the BSF was led by Inspector Dipak Kumar from Megh Narayan Kuthi camp in Sahibganj, Cooch Behar district.
According to the BGB and local sources, a main road connecting Kurshahat and Dinhata in Cooch Behar district runs within Indian territory, 50–120 yards from the Bangladesh border along the 1km stretch from Pillar 934-1S to 934-11S. The BSF had been carrying out overnight construction work adjacent to the old road in recent days.
Local residents, Mojir Rahman and Nur Alam Lipu, said the BSF had been working on the new paved road for 2-3 days, while the BGB increased patrols in response.
Subedar Abu Taher confirmed that the flag meeting took place and BGB patrols continue to monitor the area.
Subedar Naresh Chandra Roy of Shimulbari Camp added that a higher-level flag meeting between BGB and BSF commanders may be held in the coming days to maintain normalcy.
