BDR firing: India coveys concern to Bangla

Moham Kumar, joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs dealing with Bangladesh, today summoned the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to express India8217;s serious concern over the issue. A 8220;note verbale8221; on the subject was also delivered to the Bangladesh Foreign Office through the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. A similar 8220;note verbale8221; was handed over to the High Commissioner also.

The latest incident of firing took place in the Zakiganj sector on the night of August 9 and 10.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, the background to the firing was the 8220;continuing attempt at infiltration and encroachment by Bangladesh into approximately 220 acres of land on the western bank of Surma river.8221;

He said there are 8220;well-demarcated boundary pillars in this area clearly indicating that this is Indian territory.8221;

India said the land records with the Settlement Officer, Cachar and Hailakandi District in Silchar, Assam, confirmed that the said land is not under 8220;adverse possession as is mistakenly being claimed by Bangladesh Rifles8221;. The spokesperson said Bangladesh Rifles had opened unprovoked firing on June 28 this year also. Subsequently, during the Commandant level flag meeting and on July 4, the Bangladesh Rifles Commander had assured the Indian side that they would stop Bangladeshi civilians from illegal cultivation in the Indian land across the river Surma, the spokesperson said.

8220;The Bangladesh Rifles evidently tacitly encouraged Bangladeshi civilians to continue their illegal cultivation of Indian land8221;, the spokesperson said.