Author: Nilova Roy Chaudhury
Publication: The Statesman
Date: November 30, 2002
URL: http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?date=2002-11-30&clid=1&id=6693
India is likely to serve a demarche
(formal letter) on Dhaka detailing information that was presented in Parliament
by external affairs minister Mr Yashwant Sinha. Due next week, the demarche
would provide details of Al-Qaida operatives and activities in Bangladesh
and assistance provided by it to insurgents in the North- east. New Delhi
will delink the terrorism issue from charges of "Bangladesh-baiting" that
the Dhaka foreign ministry has accused former PM Sheikh Hasina Wajed of
instigating during her stay in India.
Dhaka has denied reports of any
anti-India activities on its territory.
Border Security Force (BSF) Director-General
Mr Ajay Raj Sharma today said Intelligence inputs suggest that Al-Qaida
operatives were present in Bangladesh, and that the ISI was using it to
route arms and ammunition for terrorist activities in the North-east. He,
however, said he had no evidence to prove that Al-Qaida functionaries were
present in Bangladesh. "We have no evidence to show that Al-Qaida men are
there. But Intelligence inputs suggest that they are present and operating
in Bangladesh." Mr George Fernandes, however, asserted that India had the
evidence to back its charge.
Dhaka has reacted sharply to Sheikh
Hasina Wajed's presence in India, saying her visit had acted as a catalyst
for a tirade of anti- Bangladesh statements. Though officials refused to
be drawn into the question of whether Sheikh Hasina would seek or be given
refuge in India if denied entry into her country, it's unlikely Delhi would
deny her shelter.
