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Sheltering insurgents will recoil on Dhaka: Chidambaram

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday said Bangladesh should stop anti-India insurgent groups from using its territory.

Bangladesh should realise that it was hurting itself by allowing the insurgent groups to take refuge in its territory, he said replying to a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the situation arising out of the bomb blasts in various parts of the northeast, with particular reference to Assam.

‘No’ to resolution

However, the government refused to concede the demand by members from the northeast that a resolution be adopted, on the lines of the one passed by the House unanimously on December 11 in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Minister said the government in Dhaka had assured New Delhi that it would not allow Bangladesh territory to be used by insurgent groups. “But the regrettable fact is that many groups still use Bangladeshi territory and we hope that they will not give sanctuary to such groups.”

In particular, he cited the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) and said Bangladesh was duty-bound to control its activities; particularly as there was enough intelligence input to suggest HuJI’s links with banned outfits such as the United Liberation Front of Asom and the National Democratic Front of Boroland.

At the same time, Indian insurgent groups were also active in the northeast. “They aren’t foreigners. As long as there is insurgency, security forces will fight them. Life will be lost on both sides, but to defend India’s sovereignty and integrity, this deployment would continue.”

Echoing the sentiments voiced by members during the discussion under Rule 193, Mr. Chidambaram identified five issues that needed to be addressed urgently to deal with terrorism in the northeast — illegal immigration from Bangladesh, tardy progress of border fencing, lack of development of the region for a variety of reasons, a perception of pervasive corruption, and tardy implementation of the National Identity Card programme.

As for the demand for a CBI inquiry into the Assam serial blasts, the Minister said though the State government had made a reference to the Centre in keeping with an all-party recommendation, it could not be processed for want of details.

The discussion was initiated by S. K. Bwismuthiary (Independent) and drew participation by members across the floor, including those from outside the northeast.

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