Tension has been simmering along the India Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Malda and Cooch Behar districts over a dispute about fencing. It’s led to a standoff between Indian and Bangladeshi border forces.
On Friday, a group of villagers backed by border security forces (BSF) attempted to erect barbed-wire fencing in Mekhliganj, claiming that fencing is necessary to prevent cattle from Bangladesh from grazing on their fields and damaging crops.
However, they were stopped from doing so as the BGB border guard in Bangladesh objects to fencing, citing concerns over territorial sovereignty leading to a dispute between them.
In a related incident, the BSF has temporarily suspended fencing in Malda’s Baishanabnagar due to opposition from the BGB. The force has increased its deployment in the area and is maintaining a high level of security to prevent any further escalation.
The fencing dispute has highlighted the long-standing issue of the porous Indo-Bangladesh border. It shows the vulnerability of the 2,216 km of border, 50% of which remains unfenced. While India has been pushing for greater border security, Bangladesh has expressed concerns over the impact of fencing on bilateral ties.
The situation has also sparked war between the BJP and TMC, with both parties trading blame over the issue. The TMC has accused the BJP of trying to politicise a sensitive issue.
