BGB delays joint retreat ceremony with BSF at Meghalaya

The Wagah-type retreat ceremony between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in Dawki and Kilapara of Meghalaya is set be delayed as Bangladesh is not yet fully prepared to participate in the ceremony. BSF has however reportedly started its individual retreat ceremony at Dawki, which is conducted in the morning and in the evening. Speaking on BGB’s change of plans, a Meghalaya Frontier BSF official said: “They have some issues and are planning to come up with some decisions on the joint retreat ceremony by March next year.” Dawki is one of the popular tourist destinations in Meghalaya. The place has a border check point which is used by many tourists to cross between India and Bangladesh. Apart from the retreat ceremony, BSF is also planning on establishing other infrastructure for the tourists such as canteen and sitting arrangements among other things. Similar infrastructures are also being planned at Kilapara in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills. Kilapara was a strategic war zone during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The area consists of a war memorial where tourists pay homage to the martyrs of the war.