Chattogram Hill Tracts: Border outposts to be increased: home boss

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said border outposts (BOP) in Chattogram Hill Tracts adjoining the Indian state of Mizoram will be increased, to curb the activities of 'terrorist groups'.

"There are terrorist groups in the hilly areas. When we chase them, they go into the remote area and cross the border to that side [India]. We are increasing the number of BOPs so that it does not happen," said the home minister while responding to questions from reporters after a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) function at Pilkhana.

BGB Director General Maj Gen Shafeenul Islam told reporters they gave a list of terrorist hideouts in Mizoram to India at the recently-held border conference.

"They also gave us a list. We didn't find camps there according to their list, and we informed BSF of that," the BGB Chief said.

At the 51st DG-level border conference between BGB and BSF recently, the BGB DG expressed concerns about camps of CHT-based armed separatists in Mizoram.

At a joint press conference on December 25, the Bangladesh delegation also requested India to destroy the camps.

Responding to the BGB request, BSF director general Rakesh Asthana mentioned Indian government's 'zero tolerance policy' to terrorism, and said appropriate measures would be taken against those camps if there are any.

Yesterday, journalists drew the home minister's attention to the issue, after a medal distribution ceremony among BGB members.

"They [BSF] are cooperating as much as they can; we are doing the same. Our prime minister has always said we will not allow even an inch of land in our country to be used by any separatist or terrorist, and that is what we are doing," the minister added.

"We have intelligence about some areas along the border with Myanmar too. From those areas, some miscreants cross the border and commit crimes here. Similarly, some others commit crimes there and take shelter here," he added.

Earlier, at a special law and order meeting in Khagrachhari, the home minister had said members of police, BGB and Ansar will be deployed at vacant army camps located in CHT to stop killings, extortion and terrorism in the area.

Replying to another question on security about the new year, the minister said security forces are on alert to face any challenge. Everything is under surveillance, he added.