India, Bangladesh deputy commissioners meet

SHILLONG: India and Bangladesh today decided to strengthen relationship and information sharing system at district levels in addressing different border-related issues even as they emphasised on speeding up verification process to facilitate repatriation of those lodged in jails of both the countries.

The decision was taken at the first-ever bilateral meeting between the deputy commissioners of India and Bangladesh held in the state's capital here.

A 28-member delegation from seven districts of Bangladesh was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet district Md Shahidul Islam while deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills District Sanjay Goyal represented the team from Meghalaya.

"Today's meeting will strengthen the friendship and relationship between the two countries and their counterpart districts," Islam told reporters after the meeting.

He said, "Such meeting will also help to minimise the litigants that both the countries have and will make strong friendship between their districts."

The meeting also decided to improve their information sharing system in dealing with different border related issues.

"We have decided to exchange information at our level," Goyal said.

Goyal informed that the meeting has agreed upon that in those cases wherein repatriation of those who are convict, a list will be shared with all the deputy commissioners and superintendent of police (SPs).

Upon being asked, Bangladesh officials said that there is no specific statistic available relating to the number of Indian insurgent camps in their territory but maintained that government is totally against any type of militant activities and we never shelter them.

"If there is any information from India, it will be our duty to take stern action against the militants... but in principle, the government is totally against militant activities," a member of Bangladesh delegation stated.

During the meeting, issues related to border crimes, illegal trespass, smuggling of contrabands, border pillars, their repairs and maintenance, exchange of the information related to the border fencing, developmental works, exchange of cultural and sports teams as well as events were also discussed.

"Apparently, we can send the team from our side and accordingly the team from the other side can come and can participate in the events which can boost the bilateral relations as well as work as a confidence building measures of the teams which are there on the other side of the border," Goyal said.