Author:
Publication: The Deccan Chronicle
Date: January 16, 2006
URL: http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp
The Union home ministry has credible information
that a few places of worship along the India-Bangladesh border are being used
by groups inimical to India's interests. Sources confirmed that strict vigilance
is being maintained by the security agencies on the activities of religious
institutions situated along the border. Talking to this correspondent, a high-ranking
official of the Union home ministry said, "Security agencies have reported
that a few places of worship and religious instruction located along the Indo-Bangladesh
border are being used by groups inimical to India's interests. The ministry
has taken the matter very seriously."
"Vigilance is being maintained by the
security agencies on the activities of religious institutions. The State government
have been advised to take action under the provisions of the Religious Institutions
(Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988 wherever such places are found to be indulging
in illegal activities," said the official. All border guarding forces,
especially the Border Security Force, have been informed in this regard, he
added.
The official further said, "It's a matter
of serious concern. This is the reason that the Centre has decided to strengthen
border guarding set up which include augmentation of manpower, their equipment
and the border outposts. Besides the expenditure on salary, equipment and
logistics of the personnel as a part of overall budget, a provision of Rs
105 crores has been kept exclusively for constructing border outposts in this
financial year. There are 3,45,126 personnel in the border guarding forces
of the BSF, ITBP, Assam Rifles and SSB deployed on the borders with Bangladesh,
Bhutan, China, Burma, Nepal and Pakistan."
Besides, the Indian forces have also increased
vigil on the Indo-Bhutan border. There are reports that the openness of this
border is being exploited by Indian insurgent groups, particularly the United
Liberation Front of Asom, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and Kamatipur
Liberation Organisation for indulging in anti-national activities, said the
official. In order to counter challenges from these and similar groups and
to improve the security environment along this border, the SSB has been instructed
to increase the vigil, he added.
As far as management of the Indo-Burma border
is concerned, the Centre has decide to fence an area of approximately 10 km
in Moreh. The fencing will start after sorting out the issue of disputed border
pillars and no construction zone with the Burmese government, said the official.
