Dispute Over Sand Extraction
Khasias backed by BSF intrude into Bangladesh
A tense situation prevailed on Tamabil and Padua borders yesterday as a group of 15 Indian Khasia tribesmen carrying bow and arrows along with some 20 BSF men intruded into the Bangladesh territory and interfered in Bangladeshis workers' sand extraction from a stream.
They locked in an altercation for some time as the Indians asked the Bangladeshi workers to stop sand collection from the stream near Hashia haor, over 150 yards off Tamabil border.
Later a patrol party of BDR from Tamabil border outpost reached the scene and persuaded the Indians to leave the area at about 12:45pm.
Disturbance on the border people by the Khasias with support of the BSF has become almost a regular affair on Jaintapur, Tamabil and Padua borders for months, said Major Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy commanding officer of 21 Battalion of BDR.
Tension flared on the Tamabil borders on Thursday afternoon when the Indian BSF had to stop their attempt for construction work on the border in the face of protest by BDR.
On Friday, officials of the border guards of both sides sat at a flag meeting on Padua border, about seven kilometres off Tamabil.
The BDR in the meeting protested the BSF's move for construction within 120 yards of zero line as any construction within 150 yards of the border line is prohibited.
The Bangladesh side also asked their Indian counterpart not to create obstacle in the work of Bangladeshi farmers on the lands near Padua borders where they have cultivated seasonal fruits and others items, said officials.
Border guards of both the countries were seen on alert at Tabamil and Padua, local said yesterday afternoon.
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