NEW DELHI: The Government will discuss with Bangladesh the Latter’s support of insurgency in the North-East during the bilateral talks scheduled for Tuesday.

However the Center has decided not to bring up the issue of infiltration by Rohingiya Muslim refugees into India as it is too “sensitive” an issue.

These refugees were recently driven out of Burma by the military regime; leading to much hue and cry by various countries in the Middle East They had then entered Bangladesh.

Union Home Ministry sources said that a little over two lakh refugees had entered Bangladesh Of this a small number have illegally entered India.

Most of the Rohingiya Muslim refugees have reportedly settled in the Kutch area of Gujarat. The Center is apprehensive that if these refugees strike spots in India more will follow.

An agenda for the issue was discussed at a joint meeting of officials from the Home Ministry the Ministry of External Affairs the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

The agenda will also discuss the issue of camps set up by various insurgents in the North-East particularly by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in Bangladesh making it difficult for the Indian security forces to tackle armed insurgency effectively.

Although the Bangladesh Government denies official support for ULFA information from militants who have been captured and surrendered show extensive official support for the insurgents

The ULFA is more serious as the Government had started peace talks with the militants. After talks failed the ULFA splited into two with several top leaders said to be hiding in Bangladesh

Article extracted from this publication >> May 1, 1992