The Hindu : National : Camaraderie along Indo-Bangla border

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Monday, Nov 05, 2007
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Camaraderie along Indo-Bangla border

DAWKI (INDO-BANGLA BORDER): To many in India, two words that strike once Bangladesh is mentioned are insurgency and infiltration. But tucked away along the international borders, there is a section of populace which still shares strong ties with the people on the other side of the fence, unmindful of the diplomatic strains.

In a unique camaraderie, the people here cross physical divides, sometimes for trade and sometimes for visits, and return with a sense of renewed amity every day.

The figures serve as a pointer to the same, as from January till October 25 this year, the Border Security Force apprehended 337 Bangladeshis and 228 Indians along the border areas in Meghalaya attempting to cross the boundary line. “People tend to cross the border surreptitiously everyday. You cannot stop it unless the whole border is fenced,” said a senior BSF official, requesting anonymity. On October 25 last, 16 Indians, including women and children, were caught by the BSF while they were crossing over to the Indian side from the neighbouring country near Umsiyam border observation post in Jaintia Hills. “When they were searched, we just found some betelnuts. They were handed over to police, and were later released. The police confirmed that they were residents of India and had gone to attend a marriage on the other side. This is a regular affair,” the official said. Besides maintaining healthy ties with the people on other side of the border and engaging in trade, there are also instances of marriages among the people of both sides.— PTI

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