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May 1, 2001

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Indo-Bangla border guards hold meetings

The border security forces of India and Bangladesh Monday held several rounds of meetings to reduce tensions and bring back normalcy along the border between the two countries.

BSS news agency quoted Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Syed Muazzem Ali as telling a group of journalists in Dhaka that four meetings were held, two at sector commander level and one each at battalion commander level and company commander level.

These meetings took place along the West Bengal (Hilli-Malda), Tripura (Akhaura) and Meghalaya (Bijoynagar-Netrakona) borders.

Describing the situation along the border as "generally peaceful", Ali said the meetings of the border guards of the two countries are very important for they help in reaching quick resolution of various issues for the smooth management of border.

Ali, who denied reports of significant build-up along the Bangladesh border, said still "we have raised the issue and the Indian side told us that there was no build up" as was reported in the local press.

The foreign secretary said the entire exercise at various levels on the border and through diplomatic channels was to bring about normalcy along the border, the agency added.

Replying to a question Ali said Bangladesh was yet to receive any official communication from India about lodging of case against Bangladesh Rifles.

A group of villagers in Roumari area has submitted a petition listing damage and loss caused to them by BSF during their intrusion, Bangladesh foreign secretary said.

Ali said the joint working group meeting which the two sides agreed in Delhi during secretary level meeting in December, is expected to begin in June and likely to be completed in a year.

Work on composition of the Bangladesh team in the JWG which will look into the entire gamut of bilateral relations has begun, he said.

About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Delhi, Ali said the matter was still "under process" and "nothing has been finalised".

"We are still trying to work on the matter and by first week of May we can confirm," he added.

To another question, the foreign secretary said there had been no shootout nor there was any act of vengeance along the border in the last 24 hours.

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