Border fencing in West Bengal's Malda suspended after objections by BGB

Fencing work in Malda, close to the border with Bangladesh, has been temporarily suspended following differences between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF), according to sources, who said the matter may come up for discussion during the DG-level talks scheduled for next month.

A sector commandant-level meeting between BGB and BSF took place on January 18 in the backdrop of the recent clashes between farmers of both countries. Prior to that, BSF had faced resistance while building fences in Malda's Sukdevpur last month. After this the work was suspended.

"We have not resumed work as we do not want to escalate any tension and try to resolve the issue peacefully. The matter may come up for discussion during DG-level talk scheduled next month," the sources said. "A sector commander-level meeting with Bangladesh was held recently. It was a courtesy meeting, but issues of mutual interest were informally discussed."


There are patches of areas along the Indo-Bangladesh border where fencing due to physical constraints can only be constructed in close proximity to the international boundary - 100 yard or even less - due to habitation, roads, rivers and other limitations.

As per mutually agreed border guidelines, any construction of permanent nature, including permanent fencing, can only be erected at a distance of 150 yards or beyond.

"In all such cases, when fencing is constructed at a distance less than 150 yards from the international border, the counterpart is taken into confidence and there is an established bilateral mechanism to deal with the situation," DIG NK Pandey told ET. "In case of Malda, this was followed meticulously and this fencing work was started with full understanding, agreement and after due communication to this effect from the counterpart."

However, wherever fencing has to be within 150 yards of the border, single-row fencing is done. The fencing at Malda's Sukhdevpur is also single-row fencing. "The fencing work at Malda started in April, 2024 and continued till July last year. Then, due to the heavy rains during the monsoons, the work had to be stopped. There was no objection during this period from the Bangladesh side and prior to its commencement, Bangladesh authorities were intimated about it. When the work resumed in November 2024, the objection came promptly from Bangladesh," the sources told ET.

BSF suspended the fencing work after BGB's objection in November.