GUWAHATI, Aug 26 � The State Government has not mounted any fresh pressure on the Union Government to impress upon the Bangladesh Government on the need for a bi-lateral repatriation pact to facilitate deportation of the illegal Bangla migrants staying in Assam, said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here today. He was replying to a question at a press conference.
The Chief Minister said that the Union Government has already taken up the issue of illegal immigration of Bangla nationals with the Bangladesh Government. But the Government of this neighbouring country has not accepted the assertions made by the Indian Government on the issue.
The Chief Minister, who was speaking on the issue of his forthcoming visit to Bangladesh, accompanying Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, also said that State Government is keen on bringing an end to the border dispute with the neighbouring country.
�We want to settle the border row with Bangladesh by resolving the adverse area issue. The Governments of both the countries are conducting a joint survey of the adverse areas. Adverse areas are not benefitting us. If the situation so demands, we will give up our claim over the adverse area land. The final decision in this regard, however, rests on the Government of India,� he said in reply to a question.
He also informed that the State Government has no idea about the size of the adverse areas, which are located in the Karimganj and Dhubri sectors of the Indo-Bangla border.
The whole idea of the proposed Bangladesh visit by he Indian Prime Minister is to improve the Indo-Bangla mutual relation. The Assam Government wants to improve trade and commerce with all the neighbouring countries.
�Our aim is to improve the economic condition of Assam. The issues like road connectivity, rail connectivity, border trade, connectivity through the river route, would be taken up with the Bangladesh Government for the purpose,� he said.