India has been forced to halt the construction of barbed wire fence along the border due to the strong stance taken by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and residents, said Adviser to Home Affairs Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
The adviser said this at a press conference on the Bangladesh-India border situation held at the Secretariat today.
"Due to some unequal agreements signed during the previous government's tenure, various issues have arisen along the Bangladesh-India border. However, the efforts of our people and the BGB have compelled India to stop certain activities, including the construction of barbed wire fences," he said.
Jahangir Alam said that four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) govern border activities between the two countries.

"Of these, the 1975 MoU specifies that no development with defense potential can take place within 150 yards of the zero line. Another MoU states that no development activities can occur within this boundary without mutual consent. Any such work requires prior agreement between the two nations," he said.
The adviser said India has already fenced 3,271 kilometres of the 4,156-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh, leaving approximately 885 kilometres unfenced.
He accused the previous government, in power between 2010 and 2023, of granting India unequal opportunities, which have led to disputes over barbed wire fencing in 160 locations.
"Recently, conflicts have surfaced in five areas, including Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Lalmonirhat, and the Tin Bigha Corridor. Thanks to the strong position of the BGB and local residents, India has been forced to halt its activities. I extend my gratitude to them for their role in this matter," he added.
Jahangir Alam stressed that these challenges stem from written permissions granted by the previous government, which he said should not have been issued.
"A major problem arises from the written assurances that allowed India to carry out certain activities. One of the significant issues pertains to the Tin Bigha Corridor," he said.
He said that under the 1974 agreement, Bangladesh handed over Berubari to India after parliamentary ratification. In return, India was supposed to provide Bangladesh with access to the Tin Bigha Corridor, but it failed to fulfil this commitment or ratify the agreement in its parliament.
"They used to open the corridor for an hour and then close it for another hour. Finally, in 2010, an agreement was reached to keep the corridor open 24 hours a day. However, this agreement also allowed India to construct a border fence on the zero line at Angarpota, violating the 150-yard rule," he said.
"Now, while we oppose this construction, we face challenges as Bangladesh is a signatory to the 2010 agreement," he added.
Jahangir Alam said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully informed of these issues and is in communication with India. "The foreign ministry may summon the Indian high commissioner today or tomorrow to discuss the matter," he said.
Asked about the current situation, the adviser said, "The (contruction) work is now halted." He also noted that a director general-level meeting between India and Bangladesh is scheduled for February, where discussions will focus on cancelling these unequal agreements.
In response to questions about taking a strong stance, he said, "We are strong, and we will remain strong. We will not give up our land."
Chief Adviser's Special Assistant of the Home Ministry Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, and BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddique were present at the press briefing.