High Commission of India, Dhaka
August 21, 2005
PRESS RELEASE
____________________The High Commission of India in Dhaka has seen media reports in Bangladeshi media on 19 th and 20 th August 2005, regarding recent events along the India-Bangladesh border in the Malda/Chapainawabganj districts. I t has been alleged in these media reports that BSF was entirely responsible for the incident and that BSF personnel fired hundreds of rounds at Bangladeshi construction workers and the BDR.
The factual position regarding these incidents, as conveyed by the BSF to High Commission of India, Dhaka is given below:
1. On 27 th – 28 th June 2005, due to sudden increase in the water level in river Mahananda, a large chunk of land close to the BSF Border Outpost (BOP) at Muchia was being eroded, thereby threatening the BOP and the International Boundary (IBB) fence. Commandant of BSF approached the District Magistrate of Malda, as well as the Irrigation Department in India to stop erosion.
2. On 11 Aug 2005, the Irrigation Department started the protection work by dumping filled gunny bags in the riverbank of river Mahananda to stop erosion. This work was undertaken at a distance of more than 200 yards from the International Border (IB). BDR immediately objected and lodged a protest note. The Sector Commander of BSF contacted the Sector Commander of BDR on telephone and apprised him about the situation. However, BDR Sector Commander asked that the protection work be continued only after Commandant level flag meeting.
3. On 16 Aug 2005, a formal BSF and BDR Commandant level flag meeting was held near Border Post No. 201/10-R. The Commanding Officer of 28 R Bn of BDR agreed that the protection work on Indian side is about 200 yards away from IB during discussions. He also requested that the status quo be maintained. BDR also tried to negotiate and stated that if BSF allows BDR to undertake revetment work on Bangladesh side near BDR BOP Gilabari, then BDR would not object to the protection work undertaken by India. It was pointed out that the revetment work on BD side is within 150 yards from IB and as such anti-erosion on Indian side cannot be equated with work at BDR BOP Gilabari. CO BDR did not agree to draw up the minutes of the meeting.
4. In the meantime, BDR re-inforced their manpower at BOP Gilabari and deployed heavy weapons and prepared number of Morchas .
5. On 17 Aug 2005, manpower in the BDR BOP Gilabari was again augmented. Movement of civilians of Bangladesh were stopped and no Bangladeshi national was seen fishing in and around the bank of river Mahananda using ferries.
6. On 18 Aug 2005, BDR started dumping cement concrete blocks for revetment work near the BOP Gilabari which was objected to by BSF and a protest was lodged.
7. On 19 Aug 2005, at about 1000 hrs. again the work near the BDR BOP Gilabari, which is within 150 yards from the IB started. This was strongly protested by BSF, after which BDR troops fired on BSF. The BSF troops also retaliated. Firing continued intermittently from both side till 1830 hrs.
8. On 20 Aug 2005, at about 0810 hrs, BDR again started firing on BSF in the area of BOP Muchia. However anti-erosion work in India is continuing. Flag meeting between BSF and BDR at Sector Commander level is likely to be held on 21 Aug 2005 at the request of BDR.
9. The above facts clarify fully the background and actual causes of the incident in Nawabganj District. It is once again reiterated that the BSF has always acted in a responsible manner to maintain peace and tranquility along the border and does not take any provocative action to disturb the situation.