It can't allow its territory to be a safe haven to the North East insurgent groups: Chidambaram
Source: Hueiyen News Service / From Agencies
New Delhi, December 16 2008:
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT the insurgency problem in the Northeast was "quite grave", Government Tuesday issued a strong warning to Bangladesh that it cannot allow its territory to be used for anti-India activities.
"The message must go to Bangladesh that it was duty-bound to...it cannot allow its territory to be a safe haven to the insurgent groups," Home Minister P Chidambaram said in the Lok Sabha.
"In the long run, Bangladesh is hurting itself if it does not enjoy good relations with India," he said winding up a discussion on the blasts in the Northeast in October.
A debate on the issue saw several members demanding that Dhaka be issued an ultimatum like Pakistan.
Chidambaram said the issues regarding insurgency in the Northeast were "quite grave" and the Centre was evolving a comprehensive plan to deal with the situation.
Listing five areas which needed attention in the Northeast, he said tardy progress in border fencing and issuing national identity cards, illegal immigration from Bangladesh and perception about pervasive corruption were the areas of concern.
He noted that border fencing had resulted in rich dividends in Punjab at the height of militancy there.
The Home Minister made it clear that as long as insurgency existed in the Northeast, security forces will be deployed and they will fight the militant groups.
Chidamabaram suggested that a CBI inquiry into the Assam blasts would be ordered by December 18 and the Centre was awaiting the list of cases from the state government.