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TL;DR
- Bangladesh is set to reclaim approximately 200 acres of land from India, previously lost due to erosion of the Padma River along the Daulatpur border in Kushtia.
- The decision was reached during a meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF), with plans to conduct a resurvey and officially correct boundaries in October.
- The disputed land, identified in a February 2024 survey, includes about 200 acres of Bangladeshi land in Indian territory and 40 acres of Indian land in Bangladesh.
- BGB officials also used the meeting to protest recent border killings and urged BSF to prevent illegal cross-border activities, especially ahead of the Durga Puja festival.
In a significant development along the Bangladesh-India border, approximately 200 acres of land are set to be returned to Bangladeshi landowners following a joint meeting between senior officials of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on September 16, 2024.
The land in question is located in the Challishpara area of Ramkrishnapur union in Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia district. It had been lost to India due to the erosion of the Padma River, which caused shifts in the river’s course and disorganized international boundary pillars over a three-kilometer stretch.
Lieutenant Colonel M Mahbub Murshed Rahman, commander of BGB’s 47th Battalion, confirmed the agreement, stating, “It has been agreed to conduct a resurvey of the disputed land and return it to the rightful owners.”
The issue was first identified in a survey conducted on February 10, 2024, which revealed that about 200 acres of Bangladeshi land had ended up inside Indian territory, while approximately 40 acres of Indian land was found in Bangladesh. Both countries are now preparing to officially correct the boundaries in October.
The meeting, held at the border pillar 152/7-S of Jamalpur Border Outpost in Mahishkundi, Daulatpur, was attended by the Bangladeshi delegation led by Lt. Col. Rahman and the Indian delegation led by Commandant Vikram Dev Singh of the Rowshanbagh Battalion, BSF.
Lt Col Rahman emphasized that until the resurvey is complete, no one will be allowed to utilize the disputed land. He also used the opportunity to convey Bangladesh’s strong protest against recent border killings, urging BSF to refrain from detaining innocent citizens and prevent illegal cross-border activities, particularly in the lead-up to the Durga Puja festival.
This agreement marks a positive step in resolving long-standing border disputes between Bangladesh and India. It also demonstrates the commitment of both countries to address complex territorial issues through diplomatic channels and mutual cooperation.
The decision to return the land comes at a time when Bangladesh-India relations have been evolving. Since the change in Bangladesh’s government on August 5, 2024, there have been visible shifts in various sectors, including the country’s approach to border issues with India.
This latest development follows a trend of land reclamation efforts by Bangladesh. Earlier in April 2024, the country successfully reclaimed 91 bighas (approximately 30 acres) of land along the Jagdal and Beurajhari borders in Ranishankail upazila, Thakurgaon district, after 70 years.
As both countries prepare for the official boundary correction in October, this agreement is expected to bring relief to the affected landowners and contribute to more stable and clearly defined borders between Bangladesh and India.
News Source: Tbs
