Tuesday, August 29 2006 10:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The fencing of the Indo-Bangladesh border is likely to be completed by March 2007, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal yesterday (Aug 28, 2006) said.

"Describing the just-concluded Home Secretary-level talks with his Bangladesh counterpart as successful and most productive," Duggal said that as part of efforts to curb border crimes, the fence would be erected by March next.

But, a stretch of 297-km on the international border faces certain problems as some habitations are close to it and this may hamper erecting of such fence.

"However, details are being worked out to deal with the matter," he said adding that it would lead to lowering border tension.

Duggal also said that a Joint Border Working Group on Boundary Management is likely to submit its report by the end of next month.

The Home Secretary said he favoured sensitizing the border, the media and also the security forces and would ask even the BSF to show restraint.

He said both sides agreed to examine the possibility of quickly instituting a bilateral mechanism to combat terrorism and organized crime.

"Both the countries have agreed to examine the possibility of quickly instituting a bilateral mechanism to combat terrorism and organised crime," he added.