When the going gets tough people may look for excuses. The Chief Minister oi neighbouring state of Tripura in India in an interview with the BBC Saturday reportedly claimed definite knowledge of 'at least 25 training camps' for outlawed organisations inside Bangladesh territory. The Chief Minister also sounded specific about these 'camps' being located in four of our districts adjoining the Tripura state. He has also claimed that these information were gathered by detectives from the insurgents who had surrendered and the hostages released by 'terrorists', a list of which was being drawn up to be sent to Bangladesh government through 'New. Delhi'.

This sort of irresponsible remarks are nothing new. In fact, whenever an insurgent is caught or the activities of outlawed organisations increase in the state similar statements accusing the neighbour are issued in an apparent attempt to divert public attention from problems in the state. There is hardly any reason to make Bangladesh a scapegoat when relations between India and Bangladesh are warm and friendly. Our government have always. stood by its commitment of not allowing its territory to be used by insurgents or outlawed* organisations of any country. And it is standing by its pledges as best.as it can. The Home Minister, in an interview with BBC, has categorically denied existence of these training camps on Bangladesh territory. He has also said that so far no official communication has been received from the Indian central government to this effect. The foreign office has also denied existence of such camps in Bangladesh. We want an end to this uncorroborated misinformation campaign.