BDR objects to flood works

MALDA, Jan 22: The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) today objected to the flood protection and anti-erosion measures currently being undertaken near Muchia border outpost. The 123-battalion BSF in the Behrampore BSF sector in Murshidabad looks after these parts. As a conciliatory gesture, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel decided to stop the work which employs hundreds. The BSF and BDR customarily hold a flag meeting to resolve disputes over land. In 1996, BSF and BDR jawans exchanged fire for more than two days. The violence was triggered off by anti-erosion work carried out by the district irrigation department. Towards the end of that year, top level representatives of both the countries held a meeting to resolve the crisis and surveyed the border to finalise the original border line which was altered by the changing course of the Mahananda. The authorities found a part of Indian land submerged on the Bangladesh side and some Bangladesh land submerged on the Indian side. But no initiative was taken regarding the transfer of land. n sns