GUWAHATI, Aug 31 � Defining the stand of the Indian government regarding security of the country's Western border with Pakistan and the North East border with Bangladesh as reflective of its double standard policy, public activist Prof Deven Dutta has called for clear cut and universal approach to secure the border areas.
Dutta has also criticized Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for his indifference towards the North East and problem of infiltration.
�It is really surprising that the Government of India has adopted a very stringent policy when it comes to securing the country�s border with Pakistan. But the same government is least bothered to secure the borders with Bangladesh, rather the government seems to be taking a soft stand when it comes to the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration into Assam,� said Dutta slamming the Union Home Minister for directing the Border Security Force (BSF) not to shoot Bangladeshis crossing the borders.
Mentioning that such double standard policy was harming the interests of the North East, Dutta regretted that the Central government's step- motherly attitude towards the North East was mainly responsible for the political unrest of several decades in the region.
�The people of Assam and other North East States are miffed with Chidambaram for directing the BSF not to shoot Bangladeshi infiltrators,� said Dutta reminding that recently 12 Pakistanis trying to cross over to India were shot dead by Indian security forces.
Dutta coming down heavily on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for declaring that a few villages in Dhubri and Karimganj would be handed over to Bangladesh and, in return, India (West Bengal) would get a few villages from Bangladesh, said that such a proposition was absolutely absurd and against the interest of Assam.
�It seems one can do whatever he wishes with the land and resources of Assam. People of Assam have no right to decide about their own land,� regretted Dutta.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Assam Pradesh too has castigated Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his declaration to hand over Assam land to Bangladesh.
�We smell a secret understanding of Indian government with Bangladesh,� said the BJYM adding that the Congress was always patronizing the Bangladeshi infiltration for vote bank politics sacrificing the interests of the State. Warning that such Bangladesh leaning would not be tolerated by the BJYM and the people of Assam, the student body said that it would launch a vigorous agitation if need be to protect the interests of Assam.
