Tension rises on Indo-Bangla border

Fresh tension gripped villages along Indo-Bangladesh international border in Malda district of West Bengal as Bangladesh undertook embankment-repair work within 150 yards of zero line, official sources said.

The Border Security Force warned Bangladesh Rifles to stop the work on Tuesday, as it was 'gross violation' of International Border rules.

The district magistrate of Malda has already contacted his Bangladesh counterpart in Nababganj district and apprised him about the situation in the Indian side.

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Bangladesh took the move just after two days of ceasefire between the two border security forces.

The ceasefire was announced in a flag meeting near Muchia border outpost of BSF where anti-erosion work on Indian side of the river Mahananda was justified as it was beyond 150 yards from the zero line.

It was also decided that a higher-level meeting between BSF and BDR would be held to find a permanent solution to the problem.

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There was heavy exchange of fire between the two forces on August 19-20 injuring two Indian villagers along the Indian border.

The villagers of Indian border, who were shifted to safer places, had returned home after the announcement of the ceasefire.

But the repair work on the Bangladesh side has caused panic. The villagers apprehend that this would aggravate the situation and might lead to fresh encounter between the two sides.