TDS Desk:

A day after India reaffirmed its commitment to move its relationship with Bangladesh in a positive direction, tension flared again along the Bangladesh-India border following a feud over cutting a branch of a mango tree in Shibganj Upazila of Chapainawabganj on Saturday.

The incident of chase and counter-chase took place between citizens of both countries at the zero point in the area and several Bangladeshis sustained injuries. However, the identities of the victims could not be known immediately.

Several cocktails exploded from the Indian side, erupting tension along the bordering area.

According to locals, a group of Indian citizens entered Bangladesh territory and started cutting a branch of a mango tree in the upazila this morning.

On information, some Bangladeshi people went to the spot and intercepted them from cutting the mango tree.

At one stage, both sides locked into a verbal clash, triggering a chase and counter-chase.

Indian citizens started pelting brick and stone chips at the Bangladeshi people, leaving some of the Bangladeshis sustained critical injuries, locals said.

While talking to reporters, Lt Col Golam Kibria, Commander of 59 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion in Chapainawabganj, said that the authorities have already deployed additional members of the paramilitary force to avoid any further untoward incident.

Earlier on Friday while addressing a regular weekly press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that his country wants its ties with Bangladesh to move in a ‘positive direction’ and bilateral relations to do well for the people of the two nations.

New Delhi’s approach with Dhaka has been positive, Randhir Jaiswal said during the press conference.

“We want federal relations with the people of Bangladesh. We want India-Bangladesh relations to do well for the people of Bangladesh and the people of India. So that is what our approach is, a positive one and that remains,” Jaiswal said.

Besides, the Border Security Force (BSF) hung glass bottles on the fence along Lalmonirhat’s Patgram border, sparking fresh tension among the residents in the area.