Fake currency: India, Bangladesh to take fight up to Pakistan

New Delhi,Feb 25: In a move that is likely to bring down the menace of fake currency, the third Indo-Bangladesh Joint Task Force meeting to prevent smuggling and circulation of fake currency notes has resolved to enhance mutual cooperation.

The meeting that was held at New Delhi decided that there would enhanced sharing of intelligence between the two countries and also maintain a thorough data base to combat this menace.

Enhanced cooperation:

• Sharing of Intelligence inputs and investigative leads between established points of contact.

• Maintaining database on all dimensions of FCN trade and exchange of information on the same by both sides.

• The capabilities of Forensic laboratories shall be enhanced through mutual collaboration between the forensic experts on both sides.

• Mass awareness program shall be conducted by Central Banks of both the countries in the vulnerable areas to sensitize people about the risk of FCN.

• Joint Training and Seminars will be organized by both sides on various aspects of identification of FCN and challenges in detection, investigation, and prosecution of FCN related cases.

During the deliberations, both sides shared concern of the debilitating economic effects of the trade in Fake Currency Notes (FCNs) on the economies of the two countries and reiterated the resolve to combat the syndicates together in a concerted manner.

The Indian side expressed appreciation for the recent successful detection of large consignments of fake Indian Currency Notes in Bangladesh.

During the deliberations, both the sides agreed to share intelligence and information on a real time basis on the activities of the syndicates and operatives involved in smuggling of Fake Currency Notes.

The Joint Task Force also exchanged contact details of Superintendents of Police of the districts on international border on the either side, to enhance their connectivity and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was mutually adopted to enhance cooperation between the two sides.

The SOP has been signed in pursuance of the MoU signed in June, 2015 to combat the smuggling of Fake Currency Notes which was signed by the Home Secretaries of the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister to Dhaka last year.

The SOP adopted by the Joint Task force constituted on both sides, includes following areas of mutual cooperation for combating the trade in FCN.

OneIndia News