NEW DELHI: Cross-border terrorism, infiltration, extradition of terrorists and fugitives besides smuggling of arms and contraband drugs figured prominently during the two-day Home Secretary level talks between India and Bangladesh that commenced here on Monday.
The two sides exchanged a list of wanted terrorists suspected to be hiding in both the countries. Transfer of sentenced persons and setting up a joint anti-terror mechanism including sharing of real time information between the two countries was also high on the agenda of the talks held between Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and his Bangladesh counterpart Mozammel Haque Khan.
“Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehirshi handed over a list of terrorists including several Ulfa leaders along with the coordinates of hideouts and camps of insurgent groups in Bangladesh. Dhaka on its part shared a list of home grown terrorists particularly the Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) suspected to be holed up in India. The two neighbouring countries decided to set up a joint anti-terror mechanism to combat terrorism and radical elements,” said a senior Union home ministry official.
The neighbouring country’s delegation was also informed about the presence of Indian Insurgents Groups (IIGs) in nine districts in Bangladesh. The list of such hideouts handed over by India includes the names of the Biswamohan Debbarma faction of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and ULFA.
India gave a list of 45 such hideouts in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to take immediate measures for handing over jailed North-east militants.
During the talks, India also expressed deep concern over the activity of the Garo National Liberation Army from its bases in Bangladesh.
“During the talks, border security and other bilateral issues were also discussed at length,” the official added.
The Bangladeshi delegation handed over a dossier of several radicalised youths who went missing over the past few months and were suspected to be hiding in India.
“The list also includes several members of the terror outfit JMB whose activists were arrested by National Investigation Agency in connection with Burdwan blast case,” the official said.
Khan informed his Mehirishi that Bangladesh was continuing its crackdown against militants since July terror attack at a café in Dhaka. Sources said Khan assured that Bangladesh will not let its soil to be used by inimical forces against India.
During the meeting, India also highlighted cattle smuggling across the border and asked for co-operation in ensuring crackdown against such smugglers. Indian side also highlighted an increase in drug smuggling from Bangladesh side and record number of seizure of synthetic drugs over the past three years.
“During the meeting, two sides discussed working of institutional arrangements, security related issues, cooperation in prevention of illegal activities along the borders, border management issues, “ the Centre said in a statement.
The last such meeting between the home secretaries was held in November 2015 at Dhaka in Bangladesh.