Dhaka, Delhi focus on insurgent outfits
Dhaka has sought New Delhi's cooperation in taking preventive measures against the anti-Bangladesh insurgent outfits and criminals operating from Indian territory.
During the concluding day of the home secretary-level talks between the two neighbouring countries yesterday, Bangladesh has reaffirmed its stance on the issue, expressing the hope that India would take steps to curb the anti-Bangladesh elements.
In a joint press statement issued after the talks, the Indian side also sought Dhaka's cooperation to trace the presence of Indian insurgent groups allegedly based in Bangladesh.
The two nations have agreed to take action against the militants, insurgent outfits and their leaders on the basis of real time and actionable information to be exchanged between 'the nodal points'.
They also agreed not to allow each other's land for criminal activities but disagreed on the issue of handover of convicted criminals.
"Criminals who have taken shelter in either country to evade the process of law, both sides agreed to continue efforts to find them out and send them back expeditiously," says the joint statement.
It says verification process of released prisoners of one country held in the prisons of other should be expedited and modalities in this regard will be worked out.
The Indian side led by its Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta offered Bangladesh to hand over their convicted prisoners, but Dhaka agreed on to extradite those who finished their terms.
Bangladesh is not considering India's proposal, said senior home ministry officials attending the talks.
Both the sides, however, agreed to build up a mechanism to expedite the process of repatriation of the prisoners who completed their jail terms.
"We can't hand over the convicted persons who have not finished their terms," Bangladesh Home Secretary Abdul Karim told a joint briefing held at the home ministry in the afternoon.
Karim, who led an 18-member delegation at the talks, also confirmed that anti-state activities against any country including friendly neighbour India will not be allowed to take place.
Asked about reported imprisonment of Ulfa leader Anup Chetia in Bangladesh and his extradition, he said, "We're not talking about a single person; rather, the efforts are to deal with all the prisoners."
The Indian home secretary told journalists, "We have assured the Bangladesh government that no political activities will be allowed against any country, including Bangladesh."
Gupta also assured his counterpart of reducing killings on the borders by their Border Security Force (BSF). Abdul Karim also said attention would be made to reduce the number of killings, if not fully stopped.
The meeting did not make any headway on demarcation of 6.5 kilometres of unmarked border and other border-related issues like Tin-Bigha Corridor where Bangladeshis are living in a hostage-like situation.
The two sides, however, agreed to convene a meeting of the Joint Boundary Working Group at an early date to discuss all outstanding boundary-related issues.
Both the sides expressed sincere desires to further expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation to solve matters related to security and border management.
"Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed commitment not to allow their territory to be used for any activities inimical to each other's interests," reads the joint statement.
Terming smuggling of arms and ammunition, explosives and fake currency notes a serious threat to peace and security, Bangladesh and India have agreed to find out the elements engaged in such illegal activities and bring them to justice.
The neighbours have also agreed on sharing information about trafficking of women and children, fighting illicit drugs smuggling to curb the cross-border menace.
The next home secretary-level talks will be held in New Delhi.
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