The Border Security Force of India on Monday regretted over its members’ illegal entrance into the Bangladesh territory at Jakiganj upazila in Sylhet and destroying crops and bamboo structures.
A delegation of the BSF expressed the regret during a battalion commander-level flag meeting between the Bangladesh Border Guard held about Monday noon at Rasulpur border under Manikpur union in the Jakiganj upazila, the BGB said.
BGB 19 Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Md Zubair Anwar told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· that at the flag meeting they strongly condemned the Sunday’s illegal entry by the BSF personnel after presenting detailed information.
‘In the meeting, the BSF delegation, led by its 170 Battalion commander, expressed regret for the unfortunate incident of their patrol team as the issue of infiltration was clearly established,’ he said.
The Indian delegation also admitted to the issue of compensation for damaging crops and infrastructure of the Bangladeshi famers, saying that it would be solved later on the basis of the permission from the higher authorities, said Lieutenant Colonel Md Zubair.
‘The BSF officials said in the meeting that instructions would be given to the BSF members cautioning them against illegal entry in the future,’ the BGB battalion commander said.
Earlier on Sunday morning, BSF personnel illegally entered into Bangladesh after crossing the Surma River with a speedboat along the Rasulpur border point.
The BSF members also damaged the vegetables cultivated by the villagers on the riverbank and vandalised the bamboo pergolas used for supporting vegetables climbers.
Alarmed, the residents of Rasulpur village rushed to the spot and protested strongly against the BSF’s intrusion into Bangladesh and damaging the crops.
In the face of strong protests of the villagers, the BSF members retreated and returned across the Surma River to the Indian territory.
A BGB team also reached the spot within minutes and made formal protest against the intrusion.
