BSF opens fire at Indo-Bangla border

Shillong, June 25 (UNI) The border town of Dawki along India and Bangladesh was tense after hundred odd Bangladeshi boatmen, escorted by Bangladesh Rifles troops, encroached into Indian territory.

The incident occurred this morning after Bangladeshi boatmen started their illegal extraction of boulders from the river Umgnot in the area. Numbering over 100, the Bangladeshis encroached upon the Indian territory during their illegal collection, to which the stationed BSF troops protested.

''The Bangladeshi boatmen entered inside the territorial waters of India on the river Umgnot near Umsyiem village,'' BSF DIG R Colney told UNI here.

Immediately, BSF troops confronted the BDR and boatmen and asked them to back off resulting in a heated argument.

At one point two BDR jawans uncorked their rifles and pointed at the BSF personnel.

The BSF, outnumbered, backed out only to return with reinforcement.

In a retaliatory move, BDR troops also reinforced and moved in heavy machinery along with mortar guns. The BSF too asked it troops to be on high alert. Fortunately, after three-hours of negotiation tempers calmed down.

Unconfirmed reports say a flag meeting is scheduled to be held tomorrow.

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