Wednesday, May 11 2005 14:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Home Minister Shivraj Patil today (May 11, 2005) said infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir had declined by 61 per cent after completion of fencing work on the border with Pakistan.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Patil said infiltration had reduced substantially in the border State following completion of fencing work.

Infiltration had declined by 61 per cent in the state, he said.

On fencing along the Bangladesh border, Patil said there were problems as Dhaka had objected to fencing within 150 meters in areas inhabited by people.

He said fencing work along the 4000-km border between India and Bangladesh had been almost completed in the first phase.

The second phase covers 2,000 kms, Patil said adding 50 per cent of the work had been completed in this phase.

In Gujarat, problems had been experienced in erecting fence due to nature of the soil, he said.