Assam Government takes new measures to stop infiltration

Guwahati, Nov 22 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogai announced new measures to check illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

Addressing the media here on Friday, Gogai said, "The Centre has approved the setting up of two foreigner detention camps at Mankachar in Dhubri and Mahisasur in Karimganj District. Infiltrators declared as foreigners by the Foreigner Tribunals would be detained in those camps.

"The Centre has sanctioned two more India Reserve Battalions as a second line of defence along the 270 kilometre-long Assam-Bangladesh boundary. Steps are being taken to install floodlights in border areas during the night hours," he added

He further said immigration points along the boundary would also be fully computerized and connected online with passport offices.

The State Government is also planning to make finger-printing mandatory for Bangladeshi immigrants.

Despite friendly relations, Indian and Bangladeshi border guards often exchange fire along their porous border, which stretches 4,000 km (2,500 miles) through rice fields, hills, jungles, marshes and rivers.

Five Indian states, including the West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram,share a frontier with Bangladesh.

ANI