Monday, April 18 2005 08:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Agartala: A flag meeting between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) to discuss Saturday's (Apr 16, 2005) exchange of fire ended inconclusively at Akhaura check post in Agartala.

The BSF said that the BDR, represented by its Comilla sector commandant, Col Jehangir Alam, expressed sorrow at the skirmish, but asserted that Jeevan Kumar, the assistant commandant who was killed by the BDR, had entered Bangladesh territory violating border guidelines.

The BDR claimed that the confusion over Jeevan's entry resulted in an exchange of fire between the two countries' border organisations, leading to Jeevan's death.

This was countered by the BSF DIG, R K Chaudhry representing the BSF in the flag meeting. Chaudhry told reporters that he had clearly stated that the assistant Commandant was killed by the BDR in connivance with Bangladeshi smugglers because he had resisted smuggling, infiltration and all kinds of illegal trade.

Meanwhile, the body of Jeevan Kumar was yesterday (Apr 17, 2005) handed over to the BSF by the BDR, BSF sources said.

Kumar's body would be flown to his hometown Ranchi for last rites. He is survived by wife and a three-year old daughter.

Also Ramdhan Pal, whose kidnap by the BDR and Bangladeshi smugglers from near the international border at Lankamura triggered the firing, was handed over to the BSF authorities.

Ramdhan was kidnapped from the Indian village of Lankamura on Saturday when he went near the zero line to bring back his straying cattle.

BSF Director General R S Mooshahary in Guwahati described the killing as 'unfortunate' and warned that such incidents could escalate tension in the area. BSF will deal with such acts "very strongly".

''Just as we were signing an agreement in Dhaka to maintain peace on the border came the report of firing which was really unfortunate ... We are keeping a close watch on other sectors also but such acts will be dealt with very strongly, which has been made clear to the BDR,'' Mooshahary, who returned from Dhaka yesterday after holding talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, told reporters in Agartala.

About the incident, he said, "Our men had stopped firing but due to lack of commitment and discipline, the BDR did not stop firing as a result of which two other constables were injured.''

The firing by BDR only stopped after pressure from Dhaka but such incidents will escalate tension, he said adding the situation was very tense in the area.

BDR should not be allowed to take the law into their hands, he asserted.

Pal said at Lankamura, about 5 km from Agratala, that Kumar's killing was a "pre-planned conspiracy" by Bangladesh Rifles as the young assistant commander had put an end to smuggling and other illegal trade practices at the border.

''The BDR men were so ready for the killing that there were members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of Bangladesh Army along with them. The presence of RAB men was revealed during the joint inspection by BSF and BDR when Kumar's body was found after the incident,'' he said.