BSF member detained by BGB in Lalmonirhat

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained a member of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for entering Bangladeshi territory through the Dahagram–Angarpota border near the Tin Bigha Corridor in Patgram, Lalmonirhat in the early hours of Sunday, December 21.

According to BGB and local sources, the BSF member crossed the zero line during a pursuit operation and entered approximately 300 yards inside Bangladesh. He later took shelter in a local resident’s house, where members of the BGB-51 Battalion detained him.

Subedar Ayub Ali of the BGB Angarpota camp said that a group of Indian and Bangladeshi cattle smugglers had gathered near the border at the time. BSF personnel from India’s Arjunbari camp reportedly chased the group, during which the intrusion occurred.

The detained BSF member is currently being held at the camp, he added.

Local residents have expressed concern over what they describe as repeated incursions and harassment by the BSF in the border area. 

Rezanuar Rahman Reza, a resident of Dahagram Union, alleged that the enclave-like geography of the area has led to frequent provocative actions by Indian border personnel. He cited a previous incident in 2014 when liquor bottles were allegedly hung on barbed-wire fencing in the no-man’s land, reportedly referencing a bilateral agreement.

Lieutenant Colonel Selim Al Din, Sector Commander of the BGB-51 Battalion, said that communication is ongoing with higher authorities regarding the incident. 

Further steps will be determined through bilateral discussions or a flag meeting between the two forces, he added.

Mahsin Islam Shawon/MHK