Firing along Indo-Bangla border

BSF troops fired in the air to chase away a group of Bangladeshi encroachers near Dawki in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Wednesday.

BSF troops fired in the air to chase away a group of Bangladeshi encroachers near Dawki in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Wednesday.

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BSF officials said around 150 Bangladeshi encroachers, some in boats, tried to lay siege in an area near its Dawki camp this morning.

As they did not pay heed to BSF's warning to stay away, the security force fired one round in the air to disperse them.

The Bangladeshis were backed by BDR troops, who guided them to near the Umngot river near the BSF's outpost, sources said.

They were alleged to have come to encroach and loot boulders from the river shore, a frequent crime.

They fled after the firing, the sources said, adding none was injured in the confrontation that lasted for over two hours.

Later, a flag meeting was held between BDR and BSF, who were assured that such incidents would not recur in future.

The situation was tense in the area.

Meanwhile, the BSF has apprehended an overground woman worker of the Black Widow group in Assam's North Cachar Hills district at Umrangso, who confessed to have helped the rebel group in raising money.