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SYLHET, Aug 4 (UNB): Tension has been prevailing in the district's Zakiganj border areas as the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) through loudspeaker asked the local Bangladeshis Wednesday not to cultivate crops on the so-called ‘disputed land’.
Local people have been passing sleepless nights for the last few days and some are staying in the bunkers in their houses and open spaces after the BSF's announcement.
Many of them have left the area in apprehension BSF attack. The BSF hoisted red flags on the so-called disputed areas from pillar No. 1351 to pillar No. 1354 of Uttarkul border of Zakiganj.
The BDR said the BSF did not respond to their letter to hold a flag meeting.
Both sides deployed additional forces and strengthened patrol along the border. Noagram, Minapara, Kazipara, Uttarkul and Nijgram have turned almost deserted due to the volatile situation.
Uttarkul Government Primary School teacher Khayer Ahmed told the news agency that they were compelled to close the institution at 2pm due to the panic created by the BSF announcement.
The sources said on July 23 the BSF troops indiscriminately fired on the innocent Bangladeshis and ransacked crop-fields crossing the border. Later, they were compelled to retreat in the face BDR's counter fire.
They said on July 27 the BSF personnel again launched mortar attack on the area forcing many people to leave their homes.
The sources said there is a longstanding dispute on 296 acres of land in between pillar No. 1354 and pillar No. 1356 with India since 1975 though as per international border law, the land belongs to Bangladesh.
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