BGB denies presence of NE militants in Bangladesh

SHILLONG: The Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) has denied presence of North East-based militant camps in the country.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday after the culmination of the talks with the Border Security Force officials, BGB Additional Director General (North East region) Md Zahid Hasan said Bangladesh has zero tolerance towards anti-social elements and the country’s leadership maintains a tough stand against insurgent groups.
“These (presence of insurgent camps) are mere perceptions… We will firmly act if there is any,” Zahid said.
BSF had raised the issue of presence of outfits like GNLA, ULFA and HNLC in Bangladesh territory and sought stringent action against them.
Among other issues discussed at the Inspectors General BSF-Region Commanders BGB-level Border Coordination Conference were attacks on BSF jawans and trans-border crime.
Earlier, Inspector General of BSF Meghalaya frontier PK Dubey reiterated that there are no regulated militant camps in Bangladesh which existed 10-15 years back and there is coordinated action between the border sentinels of the two countries.
Dubey, however, added that the insurgents are hiding in forests and in houses of their relatives in Bangladesh under fake identity making it difficult for BSF to get information. These insurgents are also marrying local girls.
The matter was also discussed when the delegation of BGB and BSF met the Meghalaya DGP on Friday and an action plan was drawn to gather intelligence inputs on people who are hiding in Bangladesh.
“We will try to gather intelligence (reports) about them and give it to BGB and they will take necessary action,” Dubey said and added that the State police and BSF will together develop an intelligence network and share inputs with BGB for necessary action.
BSF also provided figures of trans-border crimes committed by Bangladeshi nationals in Indian territory.
BGB emphasised on firing at Bangladeshis by Indian nationals, kidnappings of Bangladeshi nationals, trespassing by Indians and smuggling, including of drugs.