An altercation between villagers living on the Indian and Bangladesh side near the international border in Malda district of West Bengal led to a clash and stone-pelting on Saturday afternoon, the BSF said.

According to the BSF, the clash erupted after Indian villagers accused the Bangladesh villagers of stealing crops. “Around 11:45 am, the situation became tense due to a minor altercation between Indian and Bangladeshi farmers near the border outpost of Sukhdevpur… The Indian farmers accused Bangladesh farmers working in the fields across the border of stealing the crop, leading to an argument. The incident took a serious turn when farmers from both sides started gathering in large numbers and started pelting stones at each other.”

“As soon as the incident was reported, BSF and our Bangladesh counterpart, BGB, jawans reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The ruckus continued for some time but there is no report of anyone being injured in the incident,” said BSF spokesperson NK Pandey.

“The BGB also played a positive role in controlling the situation and immediately took necessary action in its territory to prevent the situation from worsening. The BSF and BGB unit commandants of the concerned area are also trying to establish better coordination among themselves… The situation on the border is now completely normal and under control,” added an official.

The BSF, meanwhile, has advised Indian farmers to stay away from such disputes on the border.