Wednesday, August 24 2005 17:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government has approved a proposal for phase-wise induction of hi-tech electronic surveillance equipments, including night vision devices, on the country's borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar, Rajya Sabha was informed today (Aug 24, 2005).

The deployment of these equipments would enhance the border monitoring capabilities of the border guarding forces considerably, Minister of state for Home S Reghupathy said in a written reply.

Naxalism: Minister of state for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said that there are 'fraternal and logistic' links between Nepalese Maoists and Naxalites groups in India.

Keeping in view the CPN (Maoist) activities in Nepal and their likely impact on India, SSB and Border Security Force (BSF) have intensified vigil along the Indo-Nepal border, he said adding states bordering Nepal have also been advised to intensify vigil and patrolling in border areas to prevent ingress of the Maoist elements.

Akhil Bharat Nepal Ekta Samaj, a CPN (Maoist) front, continues to be banned as a terrorist organisation, he said.

To another question, Reghupathy said there was no perceptible increase in the strength of the tribals in the North East or in the Naxal affected states.

However, he said that the number of violence incidence in North-East during the current year till 31st July, 2005 has reduced by five per cent as compared to last year.