‘India assures of sharing info on militancy’

India assured of sharing information on militancy with Bangladesh, Senior Secretary to the Home Ministry Mozammel Haque Khan said today.

“If they get any information on militancy, they have assured of sharing the information with us immediately,” Mozammel told reporters following a secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and its neighbouring India.

“I think we can eliminate terrorism and insurgency through bilateral understanding and intelligence sharing,” Mozammel expressed hopes.

Regarding border killing, the senior secretary said both the countries have agreed to reduce such accidents to zero figure.

“For this we [both Bangladesh and India] need to educate our people so that they do not cross the borders and abide by all international regulations in this regard,” Mozammel opined.

“If we can realise this goal, it would be easier for BGB and BSF to perform their duties and such killings could be stopped,” he added.

The meeting also discussed the drug smuggling issue, Mozammel informed.

Asserting that Bangladesh is not a narcotic producing country, the senior secretary said, “Indian authorities have assured us of whole hearted cooperation in this regard.”

Today was the last day of the two-day meeting that was held at a city hotel in Dhaka.

Mozammel led the Bangladesh delegation while Indian Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, the Indian team.

On the first day of the meeting yesterday, India raised the issues of the influx of fake Indian currency, cattle smuggling, and illegal infiltration and sought Dhaka's cooperation to completely stop these, while Bangladesh strongly spoke for the end to border killings.

Sources said the Indians assured Bangladesh of handing over the top Bangladeshi criminals hiding in India following examination of legal matters. They thanked Bangladesh for deporting Chetia and asked for other Indian criminals in Bangladesh.

It was only on November 11 when Bangladesh deported Ulfa leader Anup Chetia, and a day after that India handed over prime accused in the sensational seven-murder case of Narayanganj Nur Hossain.

According to law enforcement agencies, around 40 top criminals are either in Indian jails or are hiding in that country.

He said with the signing of Land Boundary Agreement and its implementation both Bangladesh and India have been enjoying the warmest ever relationship.