Prevent illegal migrants from Bangladesh: Gogoi

{image-tarun gogoi_14082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Guwahati/Siliguri, Aug 14: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has called for strong measures to prevent illegal migrants from Bangladesh from entering the state. Gogoi said there were many legal loopholes, which helped Bangladesh migrants to sneak in to the country. "There are lacunas, for example, after detection of the Bangladeshi migrants they disappear. That has all along been happening after being detected as foreigners. Sometimes yes, that lacuna is there. We see how the lacuna to be, first, we have to take steps to stop it," Gogoi said.

New Delhi says at least 20 million illegal Bangladesh have crossed over to India. However, Dhaka denies the charges. Apprehending security threats, Assam's neighbouring West Bengal has sealed its borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

"We share border with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and with Assam. We have alerted Border Security Force (BSF) and Shasastra Seema Bal, and sealed all the borders," said K L Tamta, Inspector General of Police, West Bengal.

Despite friendly relations, Indian and Bangladeshi border guards often exchange fire along their porous border, which stretches 4,000 km. India says its troops usually target smugglers and illegal migrants from Bangladesh, who sneak across the border, usually at night.

ANI