[Nation-Calling] Tension on North East Bangla Border - across Karimganj sector.

[Sumit K. Gupta]

Bangla encroachment rocks LS

From Our Staff Correspondent  assam tribune 28.07.06

NEW DELHI, July 27 – A day after Asom Government admitted to encroachment on its land by Bangladesh Government, Centre has placed the Border Security Force (BSF) on high alert following reports of massive build up by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) across Karimganj sector. In the Lok Sabha, however, the Government was caught on the wrong foot, when an agitated NDA sought a clarification from the Centre on State Revenue Minister, Dr Bhumidhar Barman's statement in the Assembly. Clearly unsatisfied with Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee's reply, they stormed out of the House.

Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said that reports have poured in suggesting accumulation of forces across the Kushiara River. BDR's unwarranted action has sent alarm bells ringing in the Home Ministry, which promptly placed the BSF in high alert.

Sources said that a high level team of officials led by secretary Border Management, BS Lal was being rushed to Asom to take stock of the situation. The Home Ministry officials are also slated to hold a review meeting of the Assam Accord with the State Government, sources added.

Meanwhile, State Revenue Minister's reply in Asom Assembly about encroachment on Asom's land by Bangladesh raised the hackles of the Opposition, which called for clarification from the Defence Minister. Mukherjee, was caught unawares and pleaded that he needed notice to get the relevant details.

This further infuriated the BJP members, which blasted the Government, pulling it up for being ignorant about statements made by Ministers on such a vital issue. "The moment we came to know about it we acted," he said.

The Opposition tried to further pin down the Government over the issue of infiltration by LeT operatives into the Air Force. The issues raised by VK Malhotra led to heated exchanges between the Defence Minister and the Opposition, which later stormed out of the House.

Later, briefing newsmen, Malhotra compared the encroachment by Bangladesh to that of the Kargil intrusions, asserting that when the Government had learnt about it, it evicted the encroachers. However, the Defence Minister's reply that he needed notice cannot be accepted. It is reprehensible and he does not deserve to be Defence Minister of the country," Malhotra said, in a hard-hitting statement.

On Tuesday, the Opposition in the State Assembly had also expressed serious concern at the encroachment on Asom's land by neighbouring country Bangladesh besides Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

The Revenue Minister said that Bangladesh has encroached on 499.83 acres of the State's land, while, the neighbouring states were encroaching on 2,12,206 acres of land of the state.

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Sumit K. Gupta
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