Home secretaries of Bangladesh and India will meet in New Delhi this month for detailed discussions on cross-border insurgency, terrorism, smugg-llngand related issues.

This was decided at the meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) that concluded in the Indian capital on Friday. The four-day meeting was held from January 28 to 31 between officials of the home and foreign ministries of the two countries and representatives of the BDR and BSF.

According to official sources. an agreed minutes were signed after the conclusion of the JWG meeting, the first after it was re activated recently-.

The meeting reviewed the existing situation relating to cross-border insurgency, border

crimes and smuggling. The meeting decided to exchange information between the two countries to "take proper measures to combat and contain the situation involving Insurgency and terrorism." said an official source.

At the meeting, detailed discussion was also held on eliminating insurgencies like those of the ULFA. NSCN an<| Bodos in the seven northeastern states of India and that of the Shan-tibahini in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Steps for "intensifying the return of the Chakmas staying in camps in the Indian state of Tripura were also discussed. the sources said.

Officials of both the countries decided to draw-up a detailed policy-paper for elimi-

nation of cross-border insurgency and related problems which would be placed at the meeting of the home secretaries for review and implementation.

It was also suggested at the meeting that the issues involved have to be discussed at "higher political levels. The JWG. therefore, decided to hold a meeting of the home secretaries of the two countries within this month in New Delhi, the sources added.

Officials attending the JWG meeting in New Delhi also met with the Indian Home Secretary.

The Bangladesh team at the JWG meeting was led by Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry Syed Anwarul Islam and included Director General. South Asia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shamim Ahmed and the Deputy Director General of the Bangladesh Rifles Brig Abdur Rab.

The Indian side at the meeting was led by a Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry and included a representative from the External Affairs Ministry and the Indian BSF.