Bangladesh still occupying Pyrdiwah village: Mawlong

SHILLONG, April 18: Meghalaya Chief Minister EK Mawlong today said Pyrdiwah village in East Khasi Hills district bordering Bangladesh was still under the occupation of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) since Monday, reports PTI. "Bangladesh Rifles is still continuing to occupy Pyrdiwah village since Monday," Mawlong told PTI here. Mawlong said he had informed LK Advani about the incident and the Union Home Minister had asked him "to send all the details." After a meeting with Cabinet members and high police officials, the Chief Minister said a fax was sent yesterday urging him to 'take proper steps in this regard." Mawlong also said State Home Minister TH Rangad was sent to Pyrdiwah village for a spot verification yesterday. Rangad told PTI that BDR had dug trenches in the village and was still occupying it "and the villagers have fled to safer places." Meanwhile, the Inspector General of BSF headquarter here, VK Gour, denied that the village was occupied by the BDR. He said there was no more exchange of firing between the two sides since Monday when BDR had encircled the BSF post in the village and stared firing. The BSF, he said, had also returned the fire that continued for several hours. After the incident, the commandant of the 155 battalion of the BSF had lodged a formal complaint with their counterparts in Bangladesh which followed with a flag meeting. Another flag meeting between two DIGs each from the BSF and the BDR would be held later today, Gour added.