Monday, January 31 2005 11:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Agartala: India yesterday (Jan 30, 2005) said that it was discussing with Bangladesh about the presence of Northeastern Indian insurgents in their territory and hoped that Dhaka would take right steps in this direction.

"We have already taken up the issue with Bangladesh. We are not complaining, we are raising the issue with our neighbour," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters in Agartala last night.

"We are neither complaining nor neglecting the issue, we have discussed the issue at Home Secretary level as well as Foreign Minister level and had the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Summit in Dhaka not been postponed due to tsunami, the issue would have been discussed at Prime Minister's level also," he said in presence of the Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

Responding to a question about the possibility of launching Bhutan-type operations in neighbouring countries where the Northeastern militants have bases, Patil said, "The independent neighbouring countries are showing confidence that they would themselves be able to tackle the menace on their soil."

Observing that the law and order situation in the Northeastern states were improving, the Home Minister said that it was happening due to consistent efforts of the concerned State Governments, people and security forces.

"We told them we stand by with them. Whatever action they are taking, we are supporting and what ever help there are require, we are offering," he said.

Asked about the recent ULFA (United Liberation front of Assam) violence in Assam, Patil said, "This would not help ULFA. They should have talks with us. If they think, some injustice has been done, we are ready to sort that out. They are our boys, but angry boys.

He, however, cautioned that if they (ULFA) doesn't listen to our approach the Government will do its duty in an appropriate manner.

The Union Home Minister, who visited some parts of 840 km long border in Tripura, said, the border with neighbouring Bangladesh is causing concern to both Tripura as well as Indian Government.

"We will take all appropriate measures as early as possible to make the border more effective," he added.

Responding to a question, Patil said that he was aware about displacement of sizeable member of population in the border due to construction of barbwire fencing.

"If there is some problem we will sort them out. It is a problem between the two countries also but we will see the problems of our people," he added.

Patil said that infiltrations were a matter of concern and the Government was taking the issue with the neighbours. "We have already talked to the highest authority in Mynanmar and both the countries have agreed to take measures concerning us. We will take up the issue with Bangladesh and our Western neighbour (Pakistan) too," he said and hoped that good results will come up."

When asked about the alleged presence of al Qaida activities in Bangladesh, the Home Minister said, "I don't want to jump to any conclusion. But the UN has passed a resolution to share information of territory among the member nations and help each other, which yield good results.

About the reports of smuggling and drug trafficking, Patil said, "It is a problem in the region. We have to strengthen the machinery to check the activities of smuggling and drug trafficking.

"We have to do much more what we have already done," he said.