Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said his government’s main demand to the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the enhancing of communication links with Bangladesh.
Modi is likely to visit the state on Dec 1 to inaugurate the second unit of a gas-based power plant built by India’s oil giant ONGC in south Tripura from which India has promised 100 MW power.
“During the prime minister’s visit, we will submit a memorandum for further development of our connectivity with Bangladesh. We are especially keen on the Ashuganj port, which has already been declared as a port of call for regular transshipment of goods not only for Tripura but for the benefit of the entire Northeast region.”
Sarkar told reporters a treaty already existed but if Ashuganj were to be fully used, its infrastructure had to be considerably developed.
He added, besides the bettering of the Ashuganj river port, his government would also seek access to the Chittagong sea port, and air connectivity for Tripura capital Agartala with various cities of Bangladesh.
“If necessary the matter should be discussed with the Bangladesh government.
“We want to bring this to his notice as well as the issue of access to the Chittagong port, which will be a big opening for Tripura, the Northeast and the whole of eastern India.
“We will also seek the establishment of air link with Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh,” Sarkar added.
He said Tripura should also be air-linked with southeast Asian countries. For that, the Agartala airport must be upgraded to an international status through adequate infrastructural development, he added.
The chief minister said during Modi’s visit to inaugurate the second unit of the 726-MW gas-based thermal power project at Palatana, the state would propose steps to emerge as ‘an education hub’ for students from various South Asian countries, including Bangladesh.
The Tripura government would seek his intervention for a faster implementation of various projects including rail and other connectivity, especially through Bangladesh, he added.
Sarkar reiterated that Indian militant camps still existed in Bangladesh but added that he was happy with the steps taken against the militants by the present Bangladesh government.
“There is no room for complacency. There are a few militant hideouts still in Bangladesh. During the last two months, in the bordering areas without barbed-wire fencing, we lost two security force personnel and a civilian in two or three incidents,” he added.
He said he had spoken to the BSF IG who was just back from Bangladesh after holding border-related talks.
“Action has been taken against Indian militants in Bangladesh and that is a very positive sign,” Sarkar said.
Source: Bd news24
