Frustrated over the persistent restrictions imposed by the Indian border authorities at the Tin Bigha Corridor, the residents of Dahagram-Angorpota now wants total freedom of movement.
Since 2011, people of the two Bangladeshi villages that fall under Indian territory can use the 178-metre corridor round the clock. But there still remains some restrictions imposed by the Border Security Force (BSF) of India, who are not friendly with the Bangladeshi people, locals have alleged.
Their movement is now being monitored by two CCTV cameras installed in the corridor.
They are also barred from bringing in more than 30 cows each on Saturdays and Mondays to sell those at Patgram Bazar in Lalmonirhat, upon approval of the BSF men at the gate.
On the other hand, bringing cattle from the Bangladesh main land to the villages is totally prohibited.
While using the corridor, motor vehicles and the people on foot cannot stop for a moment.
They also have to keep the road clean. In violation of the rules, the BSF men hurl abuse and even torture the Bangladeshis, alleged Shahidul Islam and Amir Ali of Angorpota and college student Sharmin Akter Asha of Dahagram.
Earlier, the gate remained open for only six hours when the corridor had been established on June 26, 1992. The time was extended to 12 hours later in 1999, and 24 hours from October 19, 2011.
But the yet persistent restrictions bother the villagers as they feel harassed despite being independent. Now they demand that the flyover proposed by the Indian authorities be materialised at the soonest as it will curb their agonies.
Once the flyover is constructed, the Bangladeshi people will be able to move freely through the corridor, said Rezanur Rahman Khan, the general secretary of Dahagram-Angorpota Andolon Sangram Parishad.
He added that the Bangladesh government should control the main gate to ease harassment of the villagers.
Lt Col Ahmed Bazlur Rahman, commander of Lalmonirhat 15 BGB Battalion, said that high-ups of the two governments could solve the issues through discussions and constructing the flyover.
