RAJYA SABHA
Reports indicate
that a number of Indian insurgent groups from North-East have
bases in Bangladesh which are being used for safe havens, sanctuaries,
bases for providing training to their cadres and transit facilities
during their clandestine movement for purposes of arms smuggling
and other illegal activities. The matter has been taken up with
the Government of Bangladesh. They have assured that they will
not allow undesirable elements to use their territory for activities
prejudicial to the interests of India.
Stating this
in Rajya Sabha today the Minister of State for Home, Shri I.D.
Swami said the Government has taken various steps to tackle
insurgency in the North-East which inter-alia includes deployment
of para-military forces and Army, coordinated action by Security
Forces for counter insurgency operations, declaration of major
insurgent groups as unlawful association under the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, declaration of the insurgency
affected areas as "disturbed areas" under the Armed
Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, reimbursement of security
related expenditure to the State Governments and modernization/upgradation
of the State Police Forces.
To check infiltration
from Indo-Bangladesh border, the Government is implementing
a project for fencing, introduction of night vision equipments,
strengthening border guarding by reducing gaps between border
out posts, deployment of additional forces, increased patrolling
etc. He said the Indo-Bangladesh fencing which has been taken
up on priority basis is to be completed by 2007.
To another
question the Minister said the Government has no specific information
about terrorism being spread by Al-Qaida in Tripura. The Centre
and the States also regularly review the situation at different
levels.
