SHILLONG: The Border Security Force has submitted documentary proofs regarding the presence of Indian insurgent groups like GNLA, ULFA, HNLC, NDFB and NLFT in Bangladesh territory during the four day summit held at Sylhet from November 18 to 21 between a delegation of the BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
An official statement issued by the BSF Meghalaya Frontier on Sunday said the presence of these militant groups on Bangladesh soil and its implications on the security of Meghalaya were projected with documentary proofs so that the BGB can take necessary action.
Asked about the nature of the documentary proofs, a senior BSF official on Sunday said the hideouts of militants, their halting places and their whereabouts in the bordering areas were made known to the BGB.
“We have also submitted the coordinates with longitudes and latitudes indicating the names of village or houses where the militants are taking shelter,” the BSF official added.
While the BSF delegation was led by IG BSF Meghalaya Frontier Sudesh Kumar, the BGB delegation was led by BGB Additional Director General Md. Latifur Haider.
Commission of trans-border crimes like smuggling of fake Indian currency notes, forest produce and cattle theft and dacoity committed by Bangladeshi nationals and criminals inside Indian territory were also discussed.
The BGB also conveyed their concerns over firing, killing and injuring of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals by Indian miscreants and smuggling of various types of drugs and narcotics including Phensedyl and liquor, among others.
However, in response, the BSF refuted the allegations of killing of Bangladeshi nationals by Indian villagers and intimated that when the Bangladeshi criminals had illegally entered into Indian territory that too during odd hours of the night and sometimes during broad day light for committing dacoity and thefts or any other illegal activities, then they might have been confronted by local villagers in self-defense.
The BSF also conveyed to BGB authorities to discourage Bangladeshi nationals to cross the international boundary in order to avoid any confrontation with peace loving Indian bordering population and maintain harmony and tranquility at the border. BSF also emphasized on joint efforts by both the border guarding forces to curb all the illegal activities across the border.
Both the border guarding forces agreed to look into each other’s perspective on border problems with an open mind and hoped that the conference will bolster the ongoing good relations between the two forces.
The Indian delegation consisted of IGs of Meghalaya, Mizoram & Cachar and Tripura frontiers of BSF, DIGs of all sectors of these BSF frontiers along with representation of personnel at HQ BSF and NCB.
GNLA taking shelter in Bangladesh: BSF
With the operations in Durama Hills of Garo Hills, the main hide out of GNLA militants, the cadres of the outfit have started taking shelter in Bangladesh.
After the recent suggestion of the High Court to the Centre on the implementation AFSPA in Garo Hills, the police had intensified the operations.
The police operations have also resulted in arrests and surrender of several cadres of GNLA militants including the close aides of GNLA leader Sohan D Shira.
Moreover, the Centre has also assured that more forces will be deployed to the State to contain militancy in Garo Hills.
“Due to the ongoing operations in the Durama sector in Garo Hills, there are reports that the cadres are moving out of Garo Hills through the porous borders to take shelter in Bangladesh,” a BSF official said on Sunday.
However, the BSF has already taken up the matter with its counterpart BGB to stop the cross border movement.
Though there are no full-fledged camps of the GNLA militants in Bangladesh, the cadres take shelter in the dwelling places of known people in Bangladesh.
These are also makeshift places in the border which are used by the militant outfit as a safe hideouts, the official added.
