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Union Minister of State for Home I D Swami said Wednesday night that India will not keep its friendship with Bangladesh if it did not punish those guilty of torturing and killing of 16 BSF personnel at Boraibari and the occupation of Pyrdiwah village on April 18.
"They have retreated, apologised and promised to inquire into the incidents at Boraibari and Pyrdiwah. If they don't keep their promise as a friendly neighbouring country, we will not keep the friendship at the cost of sovereignty of our country," Swami told a press conference at the Raj Bhavan in Shillong.
He earlier visited the Mancachar area where the BSF men were killed on April 18.
Stating that the Bangladesh government had apologised and promised to punish those responsible, the minister said, "every inch of our land occupied has been returned and their forces have retreated."
"We have made a reasonable arrangement with Bangladesh that such type of incident never happens again", Swami said.
"There were several intrusions in this north eastern sector by BDR earlier, but these were settled by flag meetings. But for the first time in 30 years this has happened."
Swami said, "It is very unfortunate that a friendly neighbour suddenly intruded and killed our BSF jawans without rhyme or reason."
Stating that the government had taken the incidents seriously, the minister said, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh had immediately taken up the matter with their counterparts.
"Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed regret and the BDR has retreated," he said.
He said the 20 BSF men at Pyrdiwah had shown exemplary courage by holding the border outpost though encircled by 500 BDR personnel and the Bangladesh army, who gave them passage to flee.
Replying to a question, Swami said BSF reinforcements were delayed as the forces were busy in Manipur. "As soon as the reinforcements arrived, the BDR vacated Pyrdiwah knowing that they could not withstand our forces".
Explaining the circumstances behind the incident at Boraibari, he said the BSF were on patrol when they were suddenly attacked by the BDR.
"The morale of the BSF there is very high and also of local villagers, who have been returning home, he said.
Swami also assured Meghalaya Chief Minister E K Mawlong that a BSF headquarters would be set up near the Indo-Bangla border for strengthening the security of the state's border with Bangladesh.
Efforts would also be made to devise a mechanism which could enable the BSF to be in constant touch with the state government in an emergency situation, Swami told Mawlong at a meeting.
Mawlong had submitted a memorandum to Swami urging him to consult the state government in efforts to solve border problems with Bangladesh, official sources said.
Besides fencing of the border, there was a need for trenches and bunkers for strengthening security, the memorandum said.
All single-line fencing on the border would be made double-line and another two battalions of Meghalaya police would be raised within two years, Swami told Mawlong.
To help improve border trade with Bangladesh, Swami said he favoured a visit to the neighbouring country by a joint delegation from the ministries of external affairs, home and commerce and the state government.
The condition of certain border roads would be improved for facilitating heavy vehicles, the minister said.
Besides members of the Meghalaya cabinet and state government officials, joint secretary, incharge of the north east, G K Pillai and Inspector General of BSF headquarters, V N Rai attended the meeting.
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