DHAKA: India has asked Bangladesh to secure its own side of the international border to check citizens of that country from coming towards the border, particularly at night. Meanwhile, both the countries have agreed to work together to prevent narcotics smuggling, which has become a major cause of concern.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune that the meeting between the Home Secretaries of India and Bangladesh and the meeting of the Joint Working Group, discussed vital issues relating to the North East region and a list of militant leaders of the region, who are still in the neighbouring country, was also handed over to Bangladesh.
Sources said that in the meetings, Bangladesh officials expressed concern over the death of citizens of that country in firing by the Border Security Force (BSF), particularly at night. But the Indian officials pointed out that if foreigners, particularly anti-social elements, try to cross the international border at night, there is every possibility of such incidents happening. India, in turn, requested Bangladesh to take effective steps to secure the areas along the international border, so that no Bangladeshi national can venture towards the border at night. India also suggested that Bangladesh can impose night curfew along the international border as is done by India.
Sources revealed that the issue of insurgency was discussed and India thanked Bangladesh for its role in this regard. During the period from 2009 till date, Bangladesh apprehended and handed over 17 senior leaders of the militant groups of North East to India, which, in turn, was of great help in dealing with militancy. Due to pressure mounted by Bangladesh, eleven hardcore members of the militants also laid down arms. However, some militant leaders including hardcore United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) leader Drishti Rajkhowa, leaders of GNLA and NLFT are still in Bangladesh. India handed over a list to the officers of that country and requested that action should be taken against them.
On the recent killings in Bangladesh, the officers of that country expressed the view that Islamic State was not involved in those incidents and those were handiwork of local militant groups.
As narcotics smuggling has become a major cause of concern for both the countries, the Narcotics Control Bureau of India and Directorate of Narcotics Control of Bangladesh would work together to deal with the problem. India will also train up officers of Directorate of Narcotics Control. The officers of Bangladesh expressed concern over smuggling of psychotropic substances including cough syrup from India. Indian officials assured that the matter would be dealt with and the issue will also be taken up with the pharmaceutical companies.
Sources said that Pakistan has been trying to send fake Indian currency notes to the country through Bangladesh and India sought active cooperation to deal with the problem. However, sources said that in recent times, the Bangladesh Government has been taking pro-active measures and the security agencies of that country managed to seize huge quantities of such fake notes, some with the inputs of the Indian agencies.
