Dhaka: In a major step to check intrusion
of militants and criminals, Bangladesh government today said
it proposes to beef up the country`s border security system
and deployment.
"Foolproof security of the borders will be ensured by
reorganising the police and the border forces to prevent the
intrusion of such elements," State Minister for Home Affairs
Shamsul Haque Tuku said.
The minister`s remarks assumes significance in the
backdrop of militant groups from the North-East setting up
sanctuaries in Bangladesh. India has long suspected that
groups like ULFA have sanctuaries across the borders.
Addressing senior police officials here at
Metropolitan Police headquarters, Tuku said: "if it can be
done, they (militants, criminals) will not be able to stay
here, even after their intrusion".
It was his first interaction with the law enforcement
agencies since assuming office under a cabinet reshuffle last
week.
The detectives last month arrested two suspected
Indian militants having links with India-based Asif Reza
Commando Force and Pakistan`s Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Bangladesh Rifles and their Border Security Force
counterparts last month exchanged lists of wanted "criminals
and terrorists" who are believed to be hiding or detained in
each other`s territories during the meeting of their chiefs.
At the meeting here, India handed over a list of 77 of
their wanted nationals while Bangladesh gave a list of 1,227
people.
The long Bangladesh-India border became porous after
the February 25-26 mutiny in BDR headquarters.
Dhaka has declared that the process was underway to
reorganise the "stigmatised" BDR under a new name and uniform.
Bureau Report
