'Simplify medical visa to stop illegal trespass'

Dhaka's appeal to New Delhi 

From a Correspondent

New Delhi, Aug 6: Admitting the fact that people from Bangladesh cross over to India illegally, Dhaka has appealed New Delhi to simplify the process of giving medical visa to Bangladeshi people, as a "crucial step to stop such illegal trespassing."

"Getting a tourist visa is very easy. But as far as visa for medical ground is concerned, it is very tough. If India simplifies the process of giving medical visa, illegal crossing of people will definitely come down," said Major General Aziz Ahmed, Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Major General Ahmed said that a government team had recently met Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Sharan in Dhaka and appraised him about the situation.

"We met Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to discuss how the process could be simplified," said Major General Aziz Ahmed after a six-day Border Coordition Conference with Border Security Force (BSF) here.

On several occasions, people get detected while crossing the border illegally. "We came to know that these people want to go to India for better treatment," said the BGB DG quoting revelations of several such detainees. BSF DG DK Pathak added, "We don't know how many people have migrated (illegally)…but we are taking steps to prevent the influx."

The BSF and BGB during the 41st Border Coordition Conference that concluded here on Thursday, discussed in detail several issues including effective implementation of the Coordited Border Magement Plan for better border magement, fight against insurgents, action against pumping of FICN, bringing down border firing to zero and prevention of human trafficking.

Both sides also discussed strategies how to stop the smuggling of cattle from India.

According to reports, over 20 lakh cattle were smuggled to Bangladesh last year and this time it has come down to 4 lakh till June this year, said Pathak.

"In fact, we (BSF-BGB) have identified areas vulnerable to cattle smuggling…We will take all possible measures to stop this," said BSF DG.

 "We have identified some vulnerable areas. We are taking actions, and I think it will come down," added Major General Ahmed.