On March 13, 2003, state-owned news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangsthha reported that a tensed situation was prevailing along the Kurigram border following the rape of Zohra Begum, a mentally retarded Bangladeshi woman. Several national dailies carried the report the following day.

"The allegation has been examined by the authorities in India and found to be false," an Indian High Commission press release said yesterday.

According to the report, Zohra strayed in West Garo Hills district of India on March 9, 2003 where locals spotted her near a church.

They informed the nearby BSF post about the matter, the press statement said.

As it was too late to contact the BDR authorities that day, the BSF arranged sojourn for Zohra at former president of Kalaichar village Ram Chandra Das's house where she spent the night with his wife and daughter, the press release continued.

The following day, the BSF handed her over to the BDR in presence of Ram Chandra and Chand Mian, secretary of Kalaichar school management committee, the statement said.

Some of the Bangladeshis including Fazlur Rahman Bepari, Union Parishad (UP) member, Jahangir Bepari, ex-UP member, and Abdul Rahman, chieftain of Balaimari village of Kurigram, were also present when she was handed over to the BDR, the press release added.