India to act tough against JMB

Against the backdrop of increasing activities of the Jamaa'tul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in India, New Delhi has assured Dhaka that no anti-Bangladesh activities would be tolerated from its soil.

India’s Home Secretary LC Goyal has reportedly told a Bangladesh delegation that Indian security agencies have already tightened its grip to stop all forms of anti-Bangladesh activities.

Goyal gave this assurance to Senior Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mozammel Haque Khan and his team, during a crucial Home Secretary-level talk held in India’s capital.

The assurance assumes special significance following the October 2 Burdwan bomb blasts and the subsequent developments.

Investigations have revealed that JMB had been planning strikes against the ruling Awami League government in Bangladesh.

The Indian side appreciated the steps taken by the Bangladesh authorities in acting against the carriers of fake Indian currency notes, and action taken against the Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) taking shelter in the bordering areas of Bangladesh.

Both countries had also agreed to act against the criminals engaged in human trafficking from Bangladesh to India and other countries.

The secretary level talk was followed by joint working group (JWG) meeting of both the countries.

The talk discussed in detail security and border management related issues between the two countries.

During the meetings, both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in border management by way of a coordinated border management plan, increased joint patrolling for reducing the crimes being committed by criminals and smugglers and higher vigil on the border by deployment of troops of Bangladesh in unguarded border areas of Bangladesh, particularly along the borders facing Tripura and Mizoram.

Significantly, both India and Bangladesh expressed satisfaction over the District Magistrates level talks that took place recently.

Both countries have expressed satisfaction over these meetings which have proved very fruitful in resolving local issues immediately without following the long process of referring the matters to the respective Central Governments.

India and Bangladesh have also agreed to resolve the issues concerning fishermen drifting inadvertently across the maritime boundaries.

In a gesture of goodwill, both the countries have started sending back fishermen with their boats without losing time.

The Bangladesh delegation also met Border Security Force (BSF) chief DK Pathak and discussed about some ground situation.