(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `India for paramilitary forces on Nepal border` appearing in `The Hindustan Times` dated February 05, 2000;
(b) if so, the facts thereof; and
(c) the other steps taken by the Government to stops taken by the government to stop ISI activities in the border States of the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK 8ABHA UNSTARRBO QUESTIOH
NO. 802 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 29TH FEBRUARY, 2000)
(a) & (b) : The Indo-Nepal border has historically been an
open border with a Visa-Free Travel Regime. In view of the
recent instances of misuse of this open `border for staging
terrorist activities directed against India, the concerned
agencies of His Majesty Government of Nepal and the Government
of India remained in regular touch, both directly and through
the bi-lateral institutional Mechanism, such as, the Joint
Working Group on Border Management and Home Secretary level
talks. The 3rd Meeting of the Indo-Nepal Joint Working Group on
Border Management was held at Kathmandu from February 1 - 3,2000.
During this meeting the two sides reiterated their determination
not to permit the use of their respective territories for
activities directed against the other. The need for intensified
and coordinated patrolling at sensitive border point, including the
the deployment of Central and State Police Forces on our side,
was discussed with the objective of enhancing security and
preventing misuse of the open India - Nepal border, while
ensuring that the facility remained available for legitimate
users.
(c) : The Government have adopted a multi-pronged
approach comprising of deployment of Central Para-Millitary
Forces, setting up of Border Observation Posts, Erection of
Fencing/ Flood Lighting, in vulnerable areas along Indo-Pak and
Indo-Bangladesh border and provision of specialised equipment
like Night Vision Devices to the Forces for greater vigilance
along the lnternational Borders of the country to check
subversive activities. As regards Indo-Nepal border, an Action
Plan in consultation with the concerned States has been prepared
for strengthening policies and intelligence collection along the
border including deployment of a Central Police Organisation in
vulnerable stretches of the border.