Exchanges of fire at the border

Unprovoked firing by the BSF, which included indirect weapons like mortar and artillery too, is beyond one's comprehension. These weapons are indirect fire weapons that lack precision unlike that of a direct fire weapon, and being area weapons can cause severe damage to human lives.

The issue has stemmed from BSF's attempt to secure control of a piece of land under, what is known as, 'adverse possession.' It needs reminding that one of the three border issues that remains to be resolved between Bangladesh and India is the exchange of territory under adverse possession (the other two being the demarcation of about 6.5km of borders and exchange of enclaves). The Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 between the two countries has clearly stated that both parties should maintain the status quo in respect of these areas till such time as these are exchanged, and that no attempt to change the status quo by force should be resorted to. Under these conditions, one wonders why the BSF had to resort to force to try to take hold of an area that had been under Bangladesh's possession all throughout, and change the status quo.

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The two countries share the longest border in South Asia, and a proper management of the borders entails adherence to the existing guidelines in respect of border issues.

Tension still prevails in the area. We would hope that the two sides would resolve the issue through discussion at the relevant levels. Whatever may be the bone of contention, force cannot be the arbiter, temporary or permanent, of any disagreement between neighbours.