Shillong, Mar 9: Bangladesh President Md. Abdul Hamid visited Balat along the Indo-Bangladesh border in East Khasi Hills district and reminisced his days of training and setting up refugee camps for Bangladeshi youth during the fight against Pakistan in the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971.

Hamid reach Balat in a chopper in the afternoon from Assam and in the evening he returned to Shillong and stayed at the Raj Bhavan.

Meghalaya shares a 443 km long border with Bangladesh.

Hamid was accompanied by his wife and family members besides Bangladesh officials.

Sources said that the Bangladesh President stood on the bank of Umngi river at Balat and enjoyed the view.

He also visited a traditional market in the area.

Balat also housed a border haat for trading of local products by border settlers from both sides of the international border.

Representatives of the Hima Maharam also submitted a memorandum to Hamid urging him to facilitate opening of local custom station in the area that would help import and export of materials besides opening of more border haats.

In Shillong, chief minister Conrad K. Sangma received the Bangladesh President at the helipad, Upper Shillong while Governor, Ganga Prasad received him at the Raj Bhavan.

The chief minister also met Hamid at the Raj Bhavan and discussed about opportunities that should be explored especially trade between Meghalaya and Bangladesh.

Conrad said that the Bangladesh President also agreed that trade should increase while stressing the need to create more infrastructure in border areas.

Conrad also reminded Hamid about his father and former Lok Sabha Speaker, late Purno Agitok Sangma.

Hamid also invited Conrad to visit Bangladesh soon.

Hamid also paid a floral tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Brookside Bungalow now known as the Rabindranath Tagore Art Gallery at Rilbong here.

The President also wrote something in a vistor’s book and put his signature.

Hamid will leave Shillong for Guwahati on Saturday.