INFILTRATION FROM NORTH
EAST BORDER
There have been reports
that nationals of some of the neighbouring countries bordering
North-Eastern States managed to enter illegally into the territory
of India. The porous border also provides easy access, safe routes
for infiltration/exfiltration to the North-Eastern militants for
their trans-border movements for conducting subversive activities.
It is difficult to speak in terms of any precise numbers, because
such illegal infiltrators enter India surreptitiously and mix
with the local population due to their ethnic, linguistic similarities.
Some North-Eastern
State Governments have asked for deployment of more security forces
in the region. The deployment of these forces depends upon the
security scenario prevailing in different parts of the country
and availability of these forces. Keeping in view these constraints,
Central Paramilitary Forces, to the extent possible, are deployed
in NE States.
With a view to prevent
infiltration of Bangladeshi National into India and in pursuance
of the Assam Accord, a Project (Phase-I) for construction of roads
and fence along the India-Bangladesh border in the States of Assam,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal has been taken up
since 1987. These works have almost been completed.
The Central Government
has also approved a sum of Rs.1334 crore for construction of additional
roads and fencing along the remaining portion of India-Bangladesh
border under Phase-II. These involve fencing of 2429.5 KMs and
road network of 797 KMs. These works are proposed to be completed
by December 2007. With the completion of this work the entire
area on India-Bangladesh border where fencing is feasible, would
be fenced.
A series of measures
have also been taken by the Government to curb the problem of
infiltration of Bangladesh nationals into India. These include
raising of additional battalions of Border Security Force, reduction
of gaps between the border outposts, intensification of patrolling
both on the land and the riverine border, accelerated programme
of construction of border road and fencing, increase in the number
of outpost towers, provision of surveillance equipment’s etc.
The matter has also been taken up with the Government of Bangladesh
on various occasions. The progress of these measures is reviewed
regularly at various levels.
This was stated by
the Minister of State for Home, Shri I.D. Swami in a written reply
in the Lok Sabha today.
