Bangladesh action unwarranted: India

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 18. India today expressed its ``serious concern'' over the firing on the Indo-Bangladesh border and the takeover of a village by the Bangladesh security forces.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India's concern over the ``unwarranted action'' by the Bangladesh Rifles and the takeover of the village, Pyrduwah, was conveyed to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India. He was ``requested'' to come to South Block and was appraised of India's concern. New Delhi asked the High Commissioner to convey to his Government that Bangladesh local authorities at the border should avoid the use of force ``in the interest of close and friendly relations between the two countries.'' India urged Bangladesh to ``restore the status quo ante.''

While most of the Indo-Bangladesh border has been demarcated, only six to seven km of the border alignment is yet to be fixed. Besides, villages in this area, including Pyrduwah on the Bangladesh border with the State of Meghalaya are consequently in ``adverse possession.'' Aware of the tensions there, India and Bangladesh in December 2000 had established a Joint Working Group on border demarcation to finalise the status of villages in ``adverse possession.''

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