Tuesday, December 13 2005 15:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (December 13, 2005) said stringent action would be taken against those trying to infiltrate from Bangladesh but ruled out electrifying the fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

"There is no proposal to electrify the fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The Government has sanctioned a pilot project of flood lighting on a stretch of 277 kms in West Bengal sector," Minister of State for Home Affairs S Raghupati said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

Flood lighting on 117-km stretch had been completed and work in remaining stretches was in progress, he said.

Security forces deployed on the border would take stringent action as per law of the land against those attempting to infiltrate from across the border.

Several steps have been taken in this regard including round the clock surveillance by carrying out patrolling, laying nakas (border ambushes) and setting up observation posts all along the international border.

Replying to another question on safety of senior citizens, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said several steps have been taken in this regard and assured the House that every effort would be made to take care of senior citizens.

Concerned police stations have been directed to keep a proper vigil of their homes and keep records of servants employed at these places.