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''There have been border fracas in the past, but casualty figures were never so high - two or three on either side - and the problem was solved at flag meetings. As a soldier, I feel this time it is unusual both figure and ratio-wise. There must be something wrong in it,'' he says.
Gen Ershad, a former chief of the Bangladesh Army, says border disputes between the two countries should be resolved through discussion and not by force.
''I don't think there is any solution in war. It won't be desirable or acceptable,'' he opined. Ershad, however, adds that in case of a border incursion, the BDR is at liberty to open fire to protect the country's territorial integrity.
Referring to the telephonic talk Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina had with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on April 22 on the border clashes, he says outstanding problems should be settled by the two sides on an equal footing.
The former president, however, terms 'unfortunate' the burning of the Bangladeshi national flag in India in the wake of the border fracas.
''This does not speak well of our good relations. We are neighbours and we must maintain good relations,'' he adds.
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