Officials talk terrorism, trade at Indo-Bangla bilateral meet

Bangladesh has rooted out terrorists from its soil and taken significant measures to uplift the socio-economic condition of its people, an official from the neighbouring country said here on Tuesday. Ahmad Kabir, the deputy commissioner of Bangladeshs Jamalpur district, asserted that his country will continue to cooperate with India in its fight against terrorism.

Bangladesh has taken a strong position against extremism and terrorism. The country has successfully rooted out almost all terrorists from its soil, Kabir, who led a delegation of 52 officers to Shillong for the meeting, said. Among those present in Tuesdays conference were district magistrates and superintendents of police from seven districts of Bangladesh, East Khasi Hills district deputy commissioner Matsiewdor War, Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary R V Suchiang and officers of the BSF and the BGB.

Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with India in weeding out terrorism, Kabir added. Suchiang, while addressing the delegates, said the meeting gives the two countries an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest.

"This is the right forum for generating options based on consensus. Earlier, too, meetings have been cordial. There has been progress since the last meeting in Mymensing. Long standing issues cannot be resolved overnight, she said. The additional chief secretary insisted that a standard operating procedure should be adopted by the two sides to avoid delay in repatriating imprisoned Indians and Bangladeshis.

Talking about bilateral trade, the official said three more border "haats" (weekly markets) are expected to be operational by the end of this year. Currently, two weekly markets -- one at East Khasi Hills district's Balat and the other at South West Garo Hills district's Kalaichar -- are functional in the state along the India-Bangladesh border.

Two new border haats at East Khasi Hills district's Bholaganj and Ryngku will open in September, while another at South West Khasi Hills district's Nolikata will be unveiled by December," Suchiang added. Meghalaya shares 443-km-long border with Bangladesh.

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