Indo-Bangla boundary talks begin in Shillong

Maintenance and construction of boundary pillars will be among the key issues to be discussed during the 129th Indo-Bangla Boundary conference which began here today.

"The conference would review the works (of boundary pillar) done in 2008-09 and draw up the programme to be taken up in next year, director of Bangladesh survey department Rafiqul Islam said before the start of the conference.

The meet would review the maintenance of the pillars and lay emphasis on quality of pillars to be erected in 2009-10. Commissioner of division PW Ingty is leading the Meghalaya side, sources said adding the conference would also look into various aspects of the boundary dispute between the neighbouring countries.

Meghalaya shares about 443 km international border with Bangladesh. Non-erection of boundary pillars in vast stretches of the porous border has reportedly created confusion among villagers on the Indian side. There were also reports about encroachment by miscreants from Bangladesh along the border.

BSF sources said the miscreants often damage pillars, remove the iron plates in them and also erase the numbers, sensibly to abet encroachment. Erection and maintenance of the even numbered pillars is done by the Indian side, the sources said.