For four years, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has blocked Bangladesh's reconstruction of a 200-year-old mosque along the Gajukata border in Beanibazar, Sylhet. As a result, the work that began with laying the foundation and installing pillars has stood still for four years.
Higher authorities of the government, including the headquarters of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been briefed on the matter.
Despite several meetings between the BGB and BSF, the Indian authorities have not agreed to resumption of the reconstruction work.
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International laws do not allow for unilaterally installing any infrastructure within 150 yards of the border's zero-line, the so-called "no man's land". Since the site of the mosque falls within this area, Indian consent would be needed to reconstruct it. However, BSF has been opposing the project for the last four years, after initially agreeing.
It is a mirror image of the situation along the border in Chapainawabganj, where BGB has been objecting to the Indians engaging in construction of their much-vaunted border fence within the same 150-yard mark on the Indian side.
Although BGB officials previously issued strong protests against the obstruction, communication on the issue has dwindled over the last two years. BGB-52 Battalion Commander Lt. Colonel Mehedi Hasan, PPM, said that the current tensions between the two governments in Delhi and Dhaka have to be resolved above his paygrade, and diplomatic efforts are underway to that end.
Local residents explained that the mosque’s structure had deteriorated, with exposed iron rods and a collapsing roof, making it hazardous for prayer. Consequently, the villagers decided to construct a new mosque nearby. Union Parishad member Zainul Islam mentioned that authorities at higher levels were informed, but no action has been taken. He emphasized that the issue requires a state-level decision.
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Former Union Parishad member Aftab Uddin recounted the events leading up to the dispute. Villagers had decided to rebuild the mosque and sought BGB’s support four years ago. Following discussions with BSF, villagers were verbally assured there would be no objection. They collected funds and completed the foundation and pillars. However, when work on the roof began, BSF intervened and halted the project.
BGB sources confirmed that BSF initially agreed not to oppose the mosque’s reconstruction during a flag meeting but later reversed their stance.
Lt. Colonel Mehedi Hasan said that BSF's objection was not to the reconstruction, but rather against any expansion of the mosque. He added that establishing new structures in such areas requires state-level decisions, which complicates the matter further.