'Stay away from borders': West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to Malda Villagers

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday warned the villagers of Malda district, bordering Bangladesh, to stay away from the international border in case of any dispute between the Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh.

"The international border is under the charge of BSF. When BSF has a dispute with BGB, the villagers should not go to the other side or near the border," Banerjee said.

She also directed the police to make announcements and warn the villagers to stay away from the international border. Speaking at an administrative meeting in Malda, Banerjee alerted the villagers as well as the police and administration.


The development comes after clashes erupted between farmers on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border on January 18.

Trouble erupted in Malda's Sukdevpur as clashes broke out between Indian and Bangladeshi farmers, BSF had said. Indian farmers said Bangladeshi farmers stole crops and equipment, leading to clashes.