Cooch Behar/Alive News: Tensions reportedly rose along the India-Bangladesh border near Votbari in Mekhliganj, West Bengal, on October 24, following an alleged attempt by Bangladeshi individuals to collect sand illegally from the Saniyajan River. According to reports, the Border Security Force (BSF) intervened and stopped the activity.
The group reportedly retreated after being confronted by BSF personnel. A video purportedly showing the incident has since circulated on social media.
BSF and Bangladesh Border Force Give Different Accounts
Reports from the neighbouring Patgram-Burimari border area in Bangladesh described a confrontation involving people collecting sand and stones from the Saniyajan River.
Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) reportedly alleged that BSF personnel crossed the international border and used a stun grenade during the incident. The BSF denied the allegation during a flag meeting between the two border forces.
No injuries were reported in the account. The situation was said to have returned to normal following discussions between the BSF and BGB.
Mekhliganj MLA Makes Controversial Statement
Amid the border tensions, Mekhliganj MLA Dadhiram Roy made a controversial remark about people from Bangladesh entering Indian territory.
Roy said that any Bangladeshi who stepped onto Indian soil should be shot. His statement came in response to the reported border incident and the alleged attempt to collect sand from the river.
The remark has drawn attention to the tensions surrounding the international border. However, the allegations about the incident and the conflicting accounts given by the two border forces remain important to understanding the developments near Cooch Behar.
