In what may create a serious embarrassment for the government, a delegation of Bangladesh parliamentarians here on Saturday said that Dhaka was not at all aware about the problem of influx afflicting Assam for decades.
Advocating friendship and trade relationship between the two neighbours, Awami League MP Tofail Ahmed told reporters that India has never apprised its counterpart that there has been a large-scale migration of people from Bangladesh to Assam.
Asserting that if issue is taken up with Bangladesh, Mr Ahmed claimed that Dhaka will certainly look into it and cooperate in finding a solution to the problem.
“There have been several rounds of talks between the two counties but so far India has not pointed out that a large number of illegal migrants are living in Assam and India,” he said adding that such illegal migration may be stopped through joint management of international border.
He also claimed that they are also not aware of hundreds of people crossing over to India illegally.
Pointing out that Bangladesh was interested in trade relationship, Mr Ahmed also reiterated that Bangladesh will not allow insurgency and terrorism to flourish on its soil and has pushed back many Indian insurgents who had taken shelter in that country.
After the Awami League came to power in January 2009, a large number of United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) leaders including Arabinda Rajkhowa, Raju Baruah, Shoshodhar Chowdhury, Chitraban Hazarika and Progoti Deka were handed over to Indian authorities along with their wives and children. Pointing out that bilateral issues many be resolved through talks between the two nation, the members of the delegation were of view that trade and commerce shou-ld be given more priority. The delegation of 11 MPs, which was here on Satur-day, also visited memorial of late Bhupen Hazarika to pay their tribute and respect. The MPs also made an appeal to the Indi-an government to check smuggling of narcotics.