Bangladesh Summons Indian HC Pranay Verma Over Border Fence Construction

Islamabad, January 12: Bangladesh has summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma following allegations of India’s attempts to construct a barbed wire fence on the 150-yard no-man’s-land along their shared border, an act Bangladeshi authorities claim violates international law. The move has reportedly heightened tensions in the border areas, according to local Bangladeshi news outlets.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, speaking at a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Law and Order held at the Secretariat in Dhaka, confirmed that Indian authorities initiated fencing efforts at five locations. “India has been forced to stop work at those places due to the strong stand of the local people with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Pranay Verma will be summoned regarding these incidents,” he said, as reported by Bangladesh media outlets.

Local Resistance Prevents Construction

Reports from Bangladeshi outlets stated that local residents and BGB personnel intervened on Friday morning. Approximately 30–35 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from India began constructing the fence. According to BGB 51 Battalion Assistant Director Amir Khasru, “Responding to our protest, they initially halted the work but a little later they started building the fence again.” In response, the BGB deployed 1.5 platoons of personnel to the area.

Tensions along the border have reportedly been escalating since the last week of December 2024. BSF began attempts to erect fences and other structures along disputed areas of the border. Local Bangladeshi sources reported that the Indian side has stationed large contingents of BSF personnel. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has reinforced its border with BGB members. Local people also accompanied the BGB, according to its officials and local sources.

Violation of International Agreements Alleged

Bangladeshi authorities have cited international regulations and bilateral agreements, such as the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities of the Two Countries – 1975, which stipulate that any infrastructure within 150 yards of the no-man’s-land requires mutual consent. “India started construction of fences along the border with Bangladesh in five places but had to abandon the execution due to strong objection by BGB and local Bangladeshis,” Lt. Gen. Chowdhury stated.

The adviser further noted that the Bangladeshi government plans to send a formal letter to India. The letter will request the revocation of what he described as “unequal agreements” related to the construction of border fences. He thanked the local residents for joining the BGB men in preventing the construction of the fence.

Diplomatic Engagements Planned

The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry has apprised itself of the situation and will address the matter through diplomatic channels. Additionally, BGB and BSF will hold a director-general-level meeting in February to discuss border-related issues and ensure compliance with existing agreements.

Bangladesh has reiterated that summoning Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma is a critical step to formally convey its concerns regarding these developments.

Bangladeshi officials mentioned that the two countries have signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) regarding border demarcation and the operational framework of border guard forces.

Also See: Bengal Govt Hindering India-Bangladesh Border Fencing: Suvendu Adhikari

Barbed Wire Fencing Status

According to Bangladeshi media reports, India has completed barbed wire fencing along 3,271 kilometers of the 4,156-kilometer shared border. This leaves 885 kilometers unfenced. Erecting fences within 150 yards of the no-man’s-land without mutual consent is reportedly a key point of contention.

The adviser stated that Bangladesh and India signed four agreements at different times regarding border-related issues and the purview of frontier forces. He also emphasized that international law prohibits such infrastructure within 150 yards of the no-man’s land. Moreover, erecting any construction within this zone requires consent from the other side.

Lt. Gen. Chowdhury expressed gratitude to local residents for their cooperation with BGB in halting the construction. He also emphasized that BGB remains vigilant and is actively coordinating with BSF to prevent further escalation.

Tensions Escalate at the Border

Tensions at the border have been escalating, especially since the last week of December, due to BSF’s attempts to build fences and other structures. The BGB has been closely monitoring the situation, deploying forces on the Bangladesh side, and preventing further construction by India.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Md Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, and BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddique attended the press conference in Dhaka.

This news is sourced using inputs from Bangladesh Prothomalo and Bangladesh News 24 and is intended for informational purposes only.