At least one Integrated Check Post to be set up in each North East state: Kiren Rijiju

NEW DELHI: All Northeastern states will soon have at least one Integrated Check Post (ICPs) along the international border that will soon be called as ' Landport'.

At an inter-ministerial meeting today,chaired by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, it was highlighted that the Northeastern states have expressed a keen desire that their trade and commerce relations with neighbouring countries should be increased and enhanced.

Rijiju directed the officers that additional locations for setting up of ICPs should be explored and there should be a target that every NE State should have at least one ICP in near future.

"Not only will this result in more prosperity, progress and development of the Northeastern states, it will also be in tandem with the 'Act East Policy' of the central government," a Home Ministry official.

The meeting deliberated on the issue of Indo-China border trade activity in the Northeastern states.

It was agreed in the meeting that the nomenclature of the Integrated Check Posts should be changed to more appropriate nomenclature of 'Landport' on the analogy of Airport and Seaport.

Rijiju emphasised that all concerned ministries should team up for development of existing trade routes and to explore the feasibility of new trade routes for setting up of 'Border Haats' and Land Custom Stations.

The Ministries have been advised to carry out inspections of the identified sites and probable locations. The Minister also reviewed the progress of development of border infrastructure including the border roads, border fencing, border outposts and advised the officers to resolve the problems and shortcomings in achieving the targets.

Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs was requested to bring the concerned state governments on board on this important issue of national security.

Representatives of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of External Affairs, Land Ports Authority of India attended the meeting.

It was informed that progress of ICPs at Raxaul, Jogbani and Petrapole is being monitored regularly and same will be completed shortly.