No militant camps in Bangladesh

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 20, 2019

SHILLONG: Bangladesh authorities said there are no militant camps operating from its soil while assuring full cooperation to root out all sort of terrorist activities. 

“At the moment, there are no militant camps (by North East-based outfits) in Bangladesh,” team leader of the Bangladeshi delegation, Ahmad Kabir said after a bilateral meeting for cluster-9 between the bordering district of Meghalaya (India) and Bangladesh held in Shillong here on Tuesday. 

Talking to media persons, Kabir said in recent years, Bangladesh and India have shared information regarding this (issue) and operations are there adding “I should rather say that Bangladesh has many times demonstrated its strong opposition against all kinds of terrorism and extremism.” 

Maintaining that Bangladesh never harbors any terrorist group, the Deputy Commissioner of Bangladesh’s Jamalpur district said, “In the near future, we would also want to root out all sort of terrorist activities.”

Asked on this, Kabir however said if there is any specific information regarding any extremist group, Bangladesh will certainly examine and take necessary steps as per law. 

“This is to ensure that our friendly neighbor country India does not suffer from such type of criminal activities in border areas or within Bangladesh,” he said. 

Additional Chief Secretary, R.V. Suchiang, Deputy Commissioners/District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from border districts of Meghalaya and Bangladesh attended the meeting, hosted by East Khasi Hills district Deputy Commissioner, Matsiewdor W. Nongbri. 

Earlier while speaking at the meeting, Kabir said Bangladesh has successfully rooted out all terrorists from its soil and has made significant progress in uplifting the socio economic in different districts.

Kabir said that Bangladesh manifested its strong position against all kinds of extremism and terrorism, while assuring that Bangladesh would continue its cooperation in this regards with India.

According to Kabir, a consensus was arrived that such meeting in the future will be held on a regular basis so that problems if any can be resolved. 

During the meeting, the Bangladesh team also expressed concern over river pollutions. “Since we have common rivers, we must look into that matter and take necessary steps to ensure that water pollution is not occur for the common interest of the people of both the countries,” he said. 

On the issue of cattle smuggling, Kabir however said no smuggling can be promoted as he added, “We want to curb all types of smuggling or activities and that the BGB and BSF will work together to ensure such activities do not occur in the border areas.” 

Terming the meeting as a huge success, Matsiewdor War said the meeting will enhance the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through effective and efficient management of our border districts.