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‘Unexpected accident at border due to misunderstanding’

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Update: 2019-10-18 13:51:01
‘Unexpected accident at border due to misunderstanding’

DHAKA: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the exchange of gunshots between BGB and BSF along Rajshahi border took place due to misunderstandings. 

He said, “Bangladesh shares a very cordial relationship with India. But, this is an unexpected accident. We are shocked at this”.

The minister said this in response to a question to reporters after a discussion meeting held on the 56th birthday of Sheikh Russell at the National Press Club in the capital on Friday (October 18).

Asaduzzaman Khan said that everyone knows that hilsa fishing is prohibited in Bangladesh for 22-days from Oct 9. When the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) challenged the fishermen in the Padma river, it was learned that they were Indian fishermen. 

Then, the fishermen went to BSF to report the incident. Later, the BSF opened fire due to misunderstandings and the two sides exchanged gunshots. It will be resolved through discussion if necessary.

He said the director general of the BGB had spoken to the BSF chief. The matter will be settled on both sides.

Responding to another question, Asaduzzaman Khan said that the RAB mistakenly entered the Indian territory when they were patrolling along Cumilla border. As a result, unexpected incident took place there. “We have a cordial relationship with India. We will sit down to reach a satisfactory solution”.

However, Indian media reported that Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan sought a detailed report from the concerned authorities. 

“I heard about the firing incident along the international border area between Bangladesh and India. I am looking into it,” Asaduzzaman Khan told News18 over telephone.

“I have asked for a detailed report on what led to the firing incident from the Director General of BGB. Each and every detail has been sought and only after receiving a detailed report from Islam, I will be able to share more on this issue,” he added.

He will conduct a high-level meeting on this issue in Dhaka on Friday with the concerned officers, it added.

The border firing took place on Thursday (Oct 17) when the Border Guard Bangladesh tried to stop hilsa catching by some Indian fishermen inside the Bangladeshi side of the Padma.

Later, BSF claimed that one member of them was killed and another member injured during the firing that took place at the Charghat border in Rajshahi.

BDST: 1346 HRS, OCT 18, 2019
RS

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