BGB resists BSF attempt to erect pole at Lalmonirhat border

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has resisted an attempt by BSF to plant a bamboo pole in the “no man’s land” at a border point in Lalmonirhat, forcing the Indian security force to apologise and remove the pole.

The incident took place at the Kalshir Mukh border area, Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Thursday evening, BGB said in a press release issued Friday.

The local BGB 51 battalion’s chief Lt Col Naziur Rahman told reporters that BSF frequently attempts to plant bamboo poles in restricted border points, and every time has to remove the poles in the face of swift and strong protest by BGB patrol teams.

As per international law, it is illegal for any country to unilaterally set up a pole, fence or pillar that touches or crosses the “zero line” or the “no man’s land” in the border area. Any such structure must be discussed mutually beforehand by all the countries sharing the border.

According to the BGB press release, a team of BSF attempted to violate the rule and erect a pole in the Kalshir Mukh border area.

Locals and the local BGB 51 battalion noticed the violation, prompting BGB personnel to advance towards the area and present a strong posture.

BGB personnel strongly opposed the move, and exerted pressure on the BSF counterparts to remove the pole immediately in line with international law. In the face of the protest, the BSF personnel swiftly removed the pole and withdrew from the site.

The 51 battalion’s chief Lt Col Naziur Rahman said BGB has beefed up monitoring of the area with support from locals.