Tension is amounting in Bangladesh-India border at Sharifpur in Kulaura upazila as Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is erecting barbed wire fence in the no man's land between border pillars no 1861 and 1862, violating decisions of flag meetings twice.

The BSF also took away three Bangladeshis from Bangladesh territory last week, villagers there alleged. The victims are yet to be returned.

BDR sources at Sharifpur border outpost (BOP) said BSF has increased its strength along the border.

They said they have kept the Srimongol Battalion Headquarter informed of the situation and are ready to face an situation.

During a visit to the border area on Monday, BDR personnel at Sharifpur BOP said BSF on the night of February 15 had attempted to raise barbed wire fence in the no mans land. They also did some earth-filling work there to facilitate movement of trucks and other heavy vehicles. As BDR protested, a company commander level flag meeting was held on the following day, where BSF agreed to stop the work. But on the night of February 26, BSF again attempted to raise barbed wire on the no man's land between pillars no 1861 and 1862.

BDR protests it again and a flag meeting was held again. BSF agreed again to stop the work. But after the flag meeting, they began the work again.

BDR Nayk Subeder Md Khalilur Rahman at the BOP told this correspondent that BSF has increased its strength in the last two days. "We are ready to face any situation", he said.

Bangladeshis living the border area are in panic and some villagers left homes in Chandpur village, close to the border.

The villagers alleged that BSF personnel have taken away three Bangladeshis who were labourers of Chatlapur Tea Estate.

Raju, 16, Paitali, 17 and Nimai, 16, were cutting grass for cows in Gutibari inside Bangladesh territory. BSF personnel intruded and took them away on gunpoint, their families alleged. They said they do not

know anything about their fate.

BDR sources at Sharifpur BOP however said they are yet get any complaint from the families in this regard.