B'desh agrees to hold flag march to defuse tension in Cachar

Aizawl, Aug 11 (UNI) Inspector General of BSF(Tripura-Cachar-Mizoram) sector Suresh Kumar Datta today said the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) has agreed to hold a flag meeting on August 13 to defuse the tension along the Indo-Bangla border in Cachar sector.

''BSF has sent at least 10 protest letters to their counterparts and responding to BSF invitation the Sylhet sector commander of the BDR has agreed for a flag meeting on August 13 to defuse tension'', Mr Datta told UNI.

He said when this process is going on the unprovoked firing by the BDR is unfortunate and would spoil the atmosphere.

However, Mr Datta reiterated that the Indian border guards were fully prepared to retaliate if the Bangladesh Rifles repeat their action in the Harinagar and Kinokhal in Cachar area where two women were killed and one child sustained injuries yesterday when the BDR resorted to heavy firing using Universal Machine Gun, Heavy Machine Gun, beside 140 to 150 Mortar shells from 60 mm Mortars and 82 mm long range mortars.

BSF officer also pointed out that this was the first time that mortars had been used between BSF and BDR skirmish in this sector.

While commenting on a report that army personnel would be deployed in the tension areas of the border, Mr Datta ruled out seeking army help and said BSF is competent enough to combat the situation.

UNI BB-SNR KK RD SRS BD1423