BJP leader L.K. Advani with a golden mace presented to him in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

HYDERABAD: Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani has said that after naxalism and terrorism, infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals from across the border was the third biggest threat to the country's security.

Addressing a public meeting as part of his "Bharat Suraksha Yatra" at the Nizam College Grounds here on Tuesday, Mr. Advani said official estimates put the number of Bangladeshis staying in the country illegally at more than a crore Bangladeshis. Demanding that those who crossed over illegally be sent back, he expressed fears that the problem might trigger a fresh demand for the country's division.

Accusing the UPA Government of failing in its constitutional duty to curb infiltration, he said no other country would tolerate it.

Earlier, Mr. Advani presented portraits of "Bharat Mata" to families of nearly three dozen persons killed by naxalites and terrorists. He said he was surprised at the Prime Minister's statement that there should be a unified command to fight naxalites. Such an apparatus existed during the NDA Government's rule, but had apparently been dismantled now, he added.

BJP State president N. Indrasena Reddy said Andhra Pradesh had become a breeding centre for ISI-backed terrorists after the Congress came to power.

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