BGB-BSF sit for flag meeting after tension over fencing at Dahagram border

A battalion commander-level flag meeting was held between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF) following tension over an alleged attempt by BSF to erect fencing near the zero line at the Dahagram Tin Bigha Corridor border in Patgram upazila.

The meeting took place inside Indian territory from 11am to 12:25pm on Saturday near International Border Pillar 812 under the Panbari BOP of the 51 BGB Rangpur Battalion.

Lieutenant Colonel Naziur Rahman, commander of the 51 BGB Rangpur Battalion, led the Bangladesh side, while BSF's 174 Battalion Commander Vinod Kumar represented India.

During the meeting, BGB strongly objected to the reported initiative to install bamboo poles and fencing within 50 yards of the zero line, saying such activities violate border regulations.

According to BGB, international border rules do not allow construction of permanent structures or barbed-wire fences within 150 yards of the international boundary.

In response, the BSF commander said the activities were part of a land measurement process related to land acquisition on the Indian side of the border.

He also alleged that some Bangladeshi farmers had harvested paddy and maize from Indian territory. In reply, the BGB commander expressed regret over the allegation and assured that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents in future.

Lieutenant Colonel Naziur Rahman said Bangladesh has no objection to land acquisition inside Indian territory but reiterated that no permanent structure or fence can be built within 150 yards of the zero line under international rules.

On the issue of alleged push-ins, the BGB commander said no such incidents had occurred along the border and stressed that any Bangladeshi citizen detained in India should be returned through legal procedures and flag meetings instead of push-ins.

The BSF commander assured that no permanent structure would be built within the restricted border area and that no push-ins would take place in future.

Both sides also emphasised increasing communication between Border Outposts (BOPs) and company commanders to resolve border-related issues quickly and peacefully.

The meeting ended cordially and the border situation is currently normal, officials said.

Tension had earlier spread in the area on Friday after BSF personnel and Indian workers reportedly began installing measuring rods and bamboo poles within 10 to 20 yards of the zero line. BGB members later intervened and stopped the work.