High Commission of India, Dhaka
June 13, 2006PRESS RELEASE
The High Commission of India, Dhaka remains seriously concerned about the inaccurate and sensational reports concerning the BSF that continue to appear in the local media, the latest example of which is the report published in some papers on June 11, 2006 blaming the BSF for tension along Chaudanga border.
2. As with other alleged incidents, this incident too has been investigated by the concerned Indian authorities who have conveyed the following facts about this incident:
At about 1900 hrs on June 9, 2006, a BSF patrol party from border outpost Gede ( across from Chaudanga in Bangladesh ) detected some miscreants in Indian territory trying to illegally cross through the border fence near border pillar 75/2-S. On being challenged, these miscreants, instead of identifying themselves, attacked the BSF patrol party by flinging a sharp edged weapon. The BSF patrol party opened fire in self-defence resulting in the killing of one of the miscreants. Subsequently, the BSF immediately came under heavy unprovoked fire from the BDR that continued intermittently until after midnight. Surprisingly, the BDR fired five high explosive bombs and nearly 6000 rounds from a universal machine gun. After observing restraint for a long time, the BSF was forced to return fire.
3. The culpability of the miscreant – and the inaccuracy of the media report on the incident - were later borne out by the 51 bottles of phensedyl and three kilograms of ganja ( cannabis ) that were found on the person of the miscreant whose dead body was subsequently recovered by the BSF. The dead miscreant has been identified as Md Usuf, s/o Md Isha Haque Vill Akandberia, PS Damarhuda, District Chaudanga, Bangladesh.
4. A Commandant-level Flag Meeting was held on June 11, 2006 where Commandant, 35 R Bn BDR expressed his regret for the BDR firing pleading that it had been due to a misunderstanding.
5. The High Commission would like to reiterate the need for BDR to show more responsibility in maintaining peace and tranquility along the border. The High Commission would once again request the media to cross-check the facts with the High Commission in order to provide a correct and balanced picture of such incidents.
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