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April 17, 2001

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Bangladeshi troops occupy
village in Meghalaya

Ramesh Menon in New Delhi

Bangladeshi troops have attacked and taken over the border village of Pyrdiawh, about 85 km from Shillong.

Over 1200 residents have fled in fear. Tension stalked the border areas of the East Khasi hills district of Meghalaya, as they feared more attacks by Bangladeshi troops.

Home Minister T H Rangad, who visited the area on Tuesday, said attempts were being made to discuss the issue with the Centre, to take it up with Bangladesh.

An hour-long flag meeting was held in the evening. Details of what transpired at the meeting were not available. Monday's flag meeting was unfruitful.

Eyewitness John Wilson Phabah, who visited the area on Tuesday evening, told rediff.com that it seemed like a war-like situation. He said an estimated 500 uniformed jawans of the Bangladesh Rifles were patrolling the village.

Relief material was rushed to the affected villagers only on Tuesday.

According to reports, the Bangladesh Rifles had captured an outpost of the Border Security Force. Villagers said that two BSF jawans were captured, but BSF officials near Dawki denied that.

On Monday night, jawans of the Bangladesh Rifles fired at Pyrdiwah.

The jawans have reportedly destroyed houses and taken away the belongings, including corrugated sheets used as roofing according to an eye-witness.

There are over 500 Bangladeshi jawans in the village and many others are reportedly approaching the border areas.

However, there are only around 50 BSF jawans in the area around the intruded village.

According to the villagers, the 20 BSF jawans at the outpost were drunk during the attack, Phabah said.

According to sources in Shillong, the incident happened early on Sunday morning.

The jawans suddenly attacked the village, firing over 35 rounds. The BSF returned about 15 rounds.

The Bangladeshi authorities claim that the village that has been taken over has always been a part of their country.

Sources said that even during the erstwhile Pakistani regime, an attempt was made to take over the village.

Border trade between India and Bangladesh has come to a standstill in Meghalaya.

Meghalaya Chief Minister E K Mawlong told rediff.com in the evening that he and other government officials were still discussing what is to be done.

UNI adds: Bangladeshi troops have intruded almost one-and-half kms into Indian territory.

Meghalaya Home Minister T H Rangad, who rushed to the site on Tuesday, confirmed that troops belonging to the Bangladesh Rifles on Monday intruded into the village.

Border Security Force sources in Shillong said Bangladeshi troops not only occupied the village but also surrounded a border outpost (BSF 155bn) and captured some BSF personnel present during an encounter.

Though the sanctioned strength of the outpost is 30, it was not known how many BSF personnel have been detained.

A news report quoting BSF staff officer C R Chauhan said about 35 rounds were fired by BDR personnel and about 15 by the BSF.

According to sources, though the BSF suffered no casualty, it refused to divulge anything about casualties inflicted on the BDR.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said the state government has geared up its machinery to tackle the situation.

According to reports from border areas, about 700 residents of the village, who witnessed the firing by BDR on Sunday night, fled in panic.

They were now living in 'inhuman conditions' on hill tops, according to a spokesperson for traditional institutions John Kharsiing.

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