A barbed wire fence erected by Burma on its side of the zero line in Tambru border area at Naikhangchhari, Bandarban.

“Burma border security force (Nasaka) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) discussed various issues during a battalion level flag meeting on October 10, where it held at Dakhhin Ghumdhum Government Primary School .”

Burma yesterday assured Bangladesh of postponing the construction of a road close to the zero line of Tambru frontier under Ghumdhum union of Naikkongchhari upazila in Bandarban district, Bangladesh official said.

“The neighboring country has also pledged to relocate the barbed wire fence from two places along the zero line of this frontier.”

Local sources said tension was growing between the two border forces when Nasaka was constructing the road, but it defused after they stopped the construction last week following protest by BGB.

A joint border survey by the two countries within this year detected that Burmese authority had built around 150 feet long barbed wire fence within 40 feet from the zero line at one place. It also found around 300 feet fence within 140 feet from the zero line, according to BGB.

As per international border law, erecting barbed wire fence or any structure within 150 yards of the zero line is prohibited.

Nasaka on behalf of Burmese authority joined yesterday's meeting in response to BGB's October 4, letter requesting them for holding a flag meeting.

Commander of 17 BGB Battalion of Cox's Bazar Lt Col Md Khalequzzaman led the BGB delegation, while the Nasaka side was led by sector 3 commander Captain Myo Thwin.

During border patrol BGB noticed the road construction within the said distance from the zero line, but Burma stopped the work after BGB protested it a few days back.

"Nasaka said they were constructing the road temporarily to carry materials for barbed wire fencing and asked Bangladesh to allow them, but we didn't agree," mentioned Khalequzzaman.