(a) whether the terrorists and infiltrators are using Indo-Bangladesh Border for carrying out terrorist activities and infiltration;
(b) if so, the facts thereof;
(c) whether tension had mounted recently on the Indo-Bangladesh border on the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to defuse tension on the Indo-Bangladesh Border and to ensure deportation of infiltrators and checking infiltration?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (SHRI HARIN PATHAK)
(a) to (e): A Statement is Annexed.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 36 DATED 18.2.2003 RAISED BY SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL, SHRI AMBAREESHA, SHRI KIRIT SOMAIYA, SHRI Y.V. RAO, DR. BOLLA BULLI RAMAIAH, SHRI SADASHIVRAO DADOBA MANDLIK, SHRIMATI NIVEDITA MANE, SHRI C.N. SINGH, SHRI MOINUL HASSAN AND SHRI BIKASH CHOWDHURY REGARDING INFILTRATION FROM BANGLADESH BORDER
(a) & (b): As per reports, Bangladeshi nationals have been found using porous Indo-Bangladesh border to enter India illegally. The porous border also provides easy access and safe routes for infiltration/exfiltration to the North eastern militants for their trans-border movements for conducting subversive activities.
(c) & (d): On January 31, 2003, in the area of Satgachi Border Out Put (BOP) in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal, a group of 213 Bangladeshi nationals, including 68 women and 80 children, were intercepted by BSF while attempting to cross the border illegally into India. They were stranded at the zero line as Bangladesh Rifles refused to take them back in terms of agreed procedures in this regard. This led to tension on the border. These persons finally went back top Bangladesh on February 5,2003 after a series of diplomatic initiatives and pressure mounted on the Bangladesh Government.
(e): The Government has taken up the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh with the Bangladesh Government from time to time and sought their cooperation in this regard. Government of Bangladesh has also been requested to follow the agreed modalities for taking back illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, to check infiltration the Government have approved a project for fencing of the Indo-Bangladesh border, work on which is under way. In addition, various steps including reducing inter-BOP gap by way of deployment of additional forces, introduction of night vision equipment and increased patrolling etc. have also been taken to check infiltration from Indo-Bangladesh border.