Bangladeshis, Indians clash at border over wheat harvest

Clashes have been reported between the citizens of India and Bangladesh at the no man's land along the border in Chapainawabganj's Shibganj Upazila over the harvesting of green wheat from the land, reports bdnews24.com.

Shibganj Police Station chief Golam Kibria said the incident occurred in the middle of Chowka and Kiranganj BGB border outposts in the Upazila's Binodpur union on Saturday afternoon.

He said, "We heard so far that one person has been injured in the incident. The search is on for the rest. We will brief about this later."

Binodpur union council member Badsha, who uses a single name, said hundreds of people gathered at the border after the incident and began protesting. Several people were injured in the stones hurled by Indians and during running battles.

The Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, personnel have been active on the border since the incident. They are trying to calm down Bangladeshi citizens.

Badsha said the dispute between the people of the two countries started over the harvesting of unripe wheat in the frontier area. At least four people were injured in the incident.

Three injured, who were identified with single names, are Faruk, Rony, and Sujon. The other one is Mesbaul Haque Mesbah from Kaliganj.

Badsha said pitched battles had erupted when the Indians first entered the Bangladesh side.

After the incident, the presence of BGB and the Indian Border Security Force, or BSF, has increased along the border.