Bangladesh approves fencing for train services with Kolkata

Dhaka, Feb 25 (UNI) In an attempt to resolve the row over fencing of no man's land, Bangladesh has approved a new proposal to construct fencing boxes for operating passenger-train services between Dhaka and Kolkata, the state media reported.

According to the proposal, both Bangladesh and India may construct box-type temporary fencing from the zero point along the rail tracks of their respective territories to ensure security of passengers and the train services.

Bangladesh hopes the new proposal, which will be sent to India for approval, can resolve the previous disagreement over fencing along the borders of the two countries, the United News of Bangladesh reported.

''With the approval of the new clause (in the agreement), we hope that the disagreement over the fencing issue will be resolved and the train services can be launched soon,'' the chief adviser's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim was quoted as saying yesterday after a meeting of the advisory council chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed.

The design of the box-type fencing will be approved "on a mutually agreed drawing" by the both countries, the report said.

During bilateral talks in Dhaka on July 9 last year, Bangladesh opposed India's proposal of constructing fencing along the borders saying it was against the border agreement between the two countries.

At a second bilateral meeting on July 30 in Kolkata, the Bangladesh delegation said if such a fencing was allowed, India would construct a fencing along its borders with Bangladesh flouting the agreement.

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