ADG BSF visits Indo-Bangladesh border ahead of 2nd phase of polls
Mr Gandhi is scheduled to visit the area under North Bengal Frontier BSF till 25 April.
Villagers of Paharpur at the Indo-Bangladesh border this year failed to enjoy the ‘Basanti Mela’ after the Border Security Force barred them to cross the border to attend the fair on the other side.
Hundreds of people from different parts of South Dinajpur district went back without visiting the fair as the gate to the other side was kept closed.
No Bangladeshi national was seen near the border fencing at Paharpur on the Bangladesh side too. According to locals, a ritualistic village fair observing the Basanti puja is organized at Shital village under Sapahar police station limits in Naogan district of Bangladesh every year.
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People from both the countries enjoy the ritualistic fair with mutual love and affection. However, hundreds of people from the Indian side failed to attend the fair this year.
The BSF officials did not even allow anyone to come close to the fencing, it is learnt. “I have come here to meet my relatives living on the Bangladesh side. We had contacted them on Sunday. They have attended the fair at Shital village on the Bangladesh side many times. We reached here in the morning when someone told me that the gate will open for all on Monday. However, BSF officials said that they have no permission to open the gate,” said Sandip Barman a resident of Lakharhat village.
Farida Bibi from Kumarganj said, “I have decided to cross the border through to meet with my family members living in Bangladesh. But I am still waiting if the BSF will allow us for a moment to enter Bangladesh”.
One of the senior officer of the 122nd battalion of the BSF said, “We do not have any information from any source to open the gate. We have no power to open it. It requires permission from the top brass. Villagers are demanding to open the international gate.”
“This is impossible, who will take the responsibility of the Indian citizens inside the Bangladesh territory,” he added.
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