http://netindian.in/news/2011/01/20...-optimistic-about-settling-border-issues-year
India and Bangladesh today expressed optimism about resolving the long-standing irritants over the transfer of enclaves and adversely possessed lands within this year.
Home Secretary G K Pillai and his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdus Sobhan Sikder led their respective delegations to the two-day Home Secretary-level talks which concluded here today.
The Indian side reiterated its commitment of "zero death" of unarmed civilians at the common border and sought cooperation from the people living in Bangladesh frontier and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to ensure this.
Addressing a joint press conference this afternoon, Mr Sikder said the meeting discussed adversely possessed lands, enclaves and demarcation of the 6.5 km undemarcated borders, among other issues.
He said the Joint Border Working Group would soon start a survey on adversely possessed lands as well as head counts of the inhabitants in the enclaves.
Mr Sikder expressed hope that all issues related to the common border would be completed within one or two months.
Asked whether there will be a plebiscite of the enclave people after the head count, Mr Pillai said on completion of the head count, the enclaves would be transferred according to the Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement of 1974.
Claiming that the civilian death figure has come down to 31 in 2010, Mr Pillai said the government was working with border guards to ensure zero death.
Expressing regret for the killing of 15-year old girl Felani in Bangladesh's Kurigram border on January 7, he said the court of inquiry has already started investigation and guilty must be punished.
The Bangladesh side sought Indian help to arrest Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's killers- Capt Majed and Risalder Moslehuddin believed to be hiding in India.
The Indian side made a positive response to it and asked for photographs and fingerprints of the two fugitives from the Bangladesh authorities to trace and catch them.
On India's concern about the presence of insurgents in Bangladesh, Mr Sikder reiterated Bangladesh's stance not to allow any terrorist or insurgent groups to use its soil.
Both the Secretaries said 24-hour access to the Tin Bigha Corridor by the people of Dahagram and Angorepota enclaves will be implemented this year.
About Banglabandh-Fulbari land port, the Indian side assured that works on installing immigration point at the Indian side of Fulbari would start from tomorrow.
About easing the visa regime, Mr Pillai said with the installation of online visa processing, first in Bangladesh, the issuance of visa has been quicker, issuing visas to 1500-2000 Bangladeshi applicants daily.
About sending of 170 Rohingyas detained by the Indian authorities in Andaman and Nicobar islands, the Bangladesh side agreed to take them back after determining their nationalities.
A joint statement said the meeting also discussed issues related to security, border management and increasing cooperation of law enforcement agencies including smuggling of arms and narcotics.
The meetings also discussed printing of fake Indian currency notes, extremist and terrorist activities, trafficking of women and children, repatriation of prisoners, border fencing, immigration issues and follow up of Joint Boundary Working Group meeting.
Mr Pillai also made courtesy calls on Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.
India and Bangladesh today expressed optimism about resolving the long-standing irritants over the transfer of enclaves and adversely possessed lands within this year.
Home Secretary G K Pillai and his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdus Sobhan Sikder led their respective delegations to the two-day Home Secretary-level talks which concluded here today.
The Indian side reiterated its commitment of "zero death" of unarmed civilians at the common border and sought cooperation from the people living in Bangladesh frontier and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to ensure this.
Addressing a joint press conference this afternoon, Mr Sikder said the meeting discussed adversely possessed lands, enclaves and demarcation of the 6.5 km undemarcated borders, among other issues.
He said the Joint Border Working Group would soon start a survey on adversely possessed lands as well as head counts of the inhabitants in the enclaves.
Mr Sikder expressed hope that all issues related to the common border would be completed within one or two months.
Asked whether there will be a plebiscite of the enclave people after the head count, Mr Pillai said on completion of the head count, the enclaves would be transferred according to the Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement of 1974.
Claiming that the civilian death figure has come down to 31 in 2010, Mr Pillai said the government was working with border guards to ensure zero death.
Expressing regret for the killing of 15-year old girl Felani in Bangladesh's Kurigram border on January 7, he said the court of inquiry has already started investigation and guilty must be punished.
The Bangladesh side sought Indian help to arrest Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's killers- Capt Majed and Risalder Moslehuddin believed to be hiding in India.
The Indian side made a positive response to it and asked for photographs and fingerprints of the two fugitives from the Bangladesh authorities to trace and catch them.
On India's concern about the presence of insurgents in Bangladesh, Mr Sikder reiterated Bangladesh's stance not to allow any terrorist or insurgent groups to use its soil.
Both the Secretaries said 24-hour access to the Tin Bigha Corridor by the people of Dahagram and Angorepota enclaves will be implemented this year.
About Banglabandh-Fulbari land port, the Indian side assured that works on installing immigration point at the Indian side of Fulbari would start from tomorrow.
About easing the visa regime, Mr Pillai said with the installation of online visa processing, first in Bangladesh, the issuance of visa has been quicker, issuing visas to 1500-2000 Bangladeshi applicants daily.
About sending of 170 Rohingyas detained by the Indian authorities in Andaman and Nicobar islands, the Bangladesh side agreed to take them back after determining their nationalities.
A joint statement said the meeting also discussed issues related to security, border management and increasing cooperation of law enforcement agencies including smuggling of arms and narcotics.
The meetings also discussed printing of fake Indian currency notes, extremist and terrorist activities, trafficking of women and children, repatriation of prisoners, border fencing, immigration issues and follow up of Joint Boundary Working Group meeting.
Mr Pillai also made courtesy calls on Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.