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Confusion prevails over occupation of village

Confusion prevails over the reported occupation of a village by the Bangladesh Rifles.

Meghalaya Chief Minister E K Mawlong asserted on Wednesday that Pyrdiwah village in East Khasi Hills district was under the BDR since Monday. But Inspector General of Police, Border Security Force, V K Gaur denied this.

"Bangladesh Rifles is continuing to occupy Pyrdiwah village since Monday," Mawlong told the Press Trust of India in Shillong, the state capital.

Mawlong said he had informed Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani about the intrusion. The latter had asked him "to send the details".

After a meeting with Cabinet members and senior police officers, the chief minister said, a fax was sent on Tuesday urging Advani to "take proper steps in this regard".

Mawlong also said state Home Minister T H Rangad was sent to Pyrdiwah for a spot verification.

Rangad said the BDR had dug trenches in the village and was occupying it "while the villagers have fled to safer places".

But IGP Gaur denied the village had been occupied by the BDR. He said there was no more exchange of fire between the two sides since Tuesday, when BDR personnel had encircled the BSF post in the village and started firing.

After the incident, the commandant of the 155 Battalion of the BSF had lodged a formal complaint with his counterparts in Bangladesh, which was followed up with a flag meeting.

Another flag meeting between deputy IGs of the BSF and BDR will be held later on Wednesday, Gaur added.

PTI

EARLIER REPORT:
Bangladeshi troops occupy village in Meghalaya

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