In a recent development that has further strained the already tense relations between India and Bangladesh, personnel from the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) halted Border Security Force (BSF) officers from constructing a cattle fence near the India-Bangladesh border in Coochbehar, North Bengal. The incident, which took place on Thursday evening, comes at a time of heightened political turmoil in Dhaka.No Violence, But Construction HaltedAccording to sources familiar with the matter, the situation remained non-violent, but the fence construction has been put on hold. The issue will be addressed during the upcoming meeting of the director generals of the two forces, scheduled to take place in Delhi this October. “While our personnel were supervising the construction of the cattle fence, BGB personnel came over and objected. It was not even a border fence,” stated a senior BSF official involved in the matter.Purpose of the FenceThe fence was intended to prevent cattle from straying across the border, a common issue that often leads to disputes among villagers on both sides. Another BSF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that the cattle fence was being constructed in accordance with a 2012 agreement between the two nations.Flag Meeting Yields No ResolutionA flag meeting was held at the border between the commandants of BGB and BSF battalions to resolve the issue amicably, but no solution was reached. “The matter will be brought up during the director generals meeting in October. While there has been no violence, patrolling on both sides of the border has been intensified,” added the second official.Context of Increased TensionsThis standoff marks the second time in a week that tensions have escalated at the frontier. The situation has been volatile since the collapse of Bangladeshs Awami League government on August 5. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka amidst widespread chaos and violence, leading to her resignation. Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus now heads an interim government.Amid the turmoil, several supporters of Hasinas Awami League have attempted to enter India, prompting the BSF to heighten security and prevent illegal crossings. Last Saturday, BGB refused to return five Indian nationals who accidentally drifted into Bangladeshi waters
