Friday, August 19 2005 16:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Siliguri (Kolkata): Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) resorted to unprovoked firing on the Border Security Force (BSF) today (Aug 19, 2005) prompting the Indian border guards to retaliate at Adampur and Muchia outposts along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Malda district, BSF sources said.

The BSF retaliated and the two sides exchanged about 500 rounds of fire in over an hour from 10.10 a m, the sources said.

There was no report of any casualty as yet and the people of the bordering villages have been evacuated to a safe distance, official sources said in Malda.

The BSF sources said in Kolkata that the firing followed a dispute over the ongoing bank investment work to stop large-scale erosion by Mahananda river, which serves as a demarcating line between the two countries.

The work was stalled due to the firing, which has caused considerable tension along the border

Malda police super Dilip Mandal told sources over phone that it was decided that both sides would undertake simultaneous work.

But BSF was forced to begin the work today as the Muchia outpost, 3 km from Adampur, was threatened by the large-scale erosion by the river.

When BSF was about to begin the work, the BDR opened fire forcing the Indian security forces posted at the two outposts to retaliate.

Inspector general of police (N. Bengal) K.L.Meena told sources that the work was undertaken the stipulated 150 yards from the zero line on the Indian side.

''Therefore no objection can be raised by the BDR as far as the international border rules are concerned.''

The district administration has been asked to take immediate measure to approach the appropriate levels and ensure that the firing is stopped, he said.

The administration has also been asked to ensure the safety of the residents of the border he added.