Northeast India militants have camps in Bangladesh: Tripura CM

Agartala: Militants from northeast India, including Tripura, have their camps in Bangladesh despite the Bangladesh government being pro-active against them, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said here on Monday.

Praising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government for taking action against terrorism, Sarkar said: "Security forces in Bangladesh with the instructions from their government are always pro-active to flush-out militants belonging to Tripura and other northeastern states and their camps in that country."

"However, there were terrorist camps in Bangladesh territory. There are 16 to 19 camps of Tripura militants in that country. The present government in Bangladesh is always trying to flush out the Indian militants in their territory."

"The security forces of Bangladesh are taking steps so that the militants are compelled to leave their territory," Sarkar said while addressing the security forces in connection with the ongoing Police Week that began Sunday.

He said Indian militants, taking advantage of the absence of Bangladeshi security forces in some of the mountainous and bordering areas, have been using remote areas, particularly in the hilly Chittagong Hill Tracts. They continue their activities, including arms training of their cadres.

Sarkar, who holds the state home ministry portfolio, said: "We cannot claim that we are successful in curbing militancy entirely in our state because there are still a few hideouts within our state too."

"Occasionally due to pressure of the Bangladesh security forces the militants temporarily shift from their camps but return to their original place once the security forces have moved away. Such hide-and-seek activities are going on and we are aware of them."

Sarkar said: "Even today in our state there are youths who are being misled to join into terrorism and we have to be vigilant on these acts. We have to ensure that the terrorist outfits do not disrupt peace, development and unity in our state and for that the security forces have to increase their vigil."

Director General of Tripura Police K Nagaraj told media that there are 16 militant outfits in Bangladesh and a safe house somewhere in Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh.

"We came to know about the militants' camps in Bangladesh after interrogating the surrendered or arrested militants besides intelligence inputs," he said.

"There was not a single militancy related incident in Tripura in the just ended year," he added.