Dhaka has lodged a “strong protest” with New Delhi against intrusion of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) into Bangladesh territory and killing of two Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel at Chapainawabganj border in the early hours of Friday.
“The recent border incident entailed an incursion into Bangladeshi territorial waters and the killing of two BDR personnel by the BSF,” the foreign ministry said in a protest note issued yesterday.
Bangladesh views the BSF actions as “totally unacceptable”. It expressed the hope that “Indian authorities will take appropriate action against those responsible and ensure that such incidents do not recur,” the note said.
In another development, two cattle traders were gunned down by BSF at Jessore border yesterday afternoon, triggering exchange of gunfire between border forces of the two countries.
Tension was prevailing at frontiers of the country because of the killings by BSF.
The traders killed were identified as Najir, 35, and Joynal Abedin, 33, who hailed from Shupukuria village under Chowgachha upazila. Locals said BSF shot and killed them without any provocation.
BSF took away the bodies and did not return till filing of this report in the evening.
Reports say both sides have reinforced their deployment, creating panic among people of the bordering villages.
Our Chapainawabganj correspondent reported that the situation at Raghunathpur village under Shibganj upazila where the BDR jawans were gunned down is still tense.
Mainul Islam, a teacher at Hasanpur primary school of Kackchapara in Raghunathpur area, said panicked villagers were passing sleepless nights.
Major Syed Abu Hasan, operation officer of 39 Rifles Battalion said, “The situation in the border area is still tense.”
BDR personnel were patrolling the area, and advised people to stay calm.
Meanwhile, the Indian national arrested by BDR from the spot after Friday’s killings, was handed over to Shibganj police.
Identified as Tazemul, son of Afzal Mia of Chalakpara village under Baishnabnagar thana of Malda district, the arrestee was sent to jail yesterday. Earlier, Shibganj police had produced him before court.
On Friday, a group of BSF guards from Neemtita camp under Murshidabad district entered Bangladesh crossing the Padma on a speedboat and entered Raghunathpur village in Chapainawabganj.
The intruders opened fire as a BDR patrol team challenged them, leaving Habilder Abdul Hannan Sarker and Lance Nayek Krishnopodo Saha killed on the spot.
In the face of counter attack by BDR, the BSF men fled the area. A BSF man was reportedly killed in the shootout.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics, Daily Bangladesh News, News, Politics
