The chief minister of the Indian state Tripura has claimed that Indian terrorist camps still exist in Bangladesh territory.

Manik Sarkar, however, praised the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh for taking action against terrorism, which has helped curb insurgency in the Indian state.

But he stated that there were yet terrorist camps across the border.

“We know that in our neighbouring Bangladesh still there are 16 to 19 camps of Indian militants. However, the present government in Bangladesh does not encourage the Indian militants in their territory. Rather they are taking steps so that the militants are compelled to leave their territory,” said Sarkar.

He added that Indian militants, taking advantage of the absence of Bangladesh’s security forces, have been using remote areas adjoining the border, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, to engage in their activities.

Sarkar said, “We cannot claim that we have been successful in totally uprooting militancy from our state because there are still a few hideouts within our state."

"Sometimes due to pressure of the Bangladesh security forces the militants temporarily shift from their camps but return once the security forces have moved away. Such hide-and-seek activities are going on and we are aware of them.”

The chief minister was addressing police officials at the inauguration of the Police Week-2016 on Sunday at the police parade ground in Tripura.

He said, “Throughout the globe terrorist activities are growing and targeting many nations and the latest was in Paris. They are now trying to spread this terrorism in India.

"Even today in our state there are youths who are misled into terrorism and we have to be vigilant on this score. We have to ensure that these terrorist groups do not disrupt peace, development and unity in our state and for that the security forces have to increase their vigil.”

Earlier, Sarkar inspected the parade and conferred medals on police personnel for their commendable service.

The children of police personnel were also awarded for their remarkable results at the board examinations.

bdnews24.com/RI