[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-17

[Taha Mehmood]

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?artid=36815036

The Times of India
Govt to remain firm on illegal migrants: Advani
8 Feb 2003, 0329 hrs IST, TNN

 NEW DELHI: The government's decision to identify and deport the
estimated 1.5 lakh illegal Bangladeshis living in India had come about
only after
an understanding on the issue was arrived at between the Centre and
the state governments
, Deputy Prime Minister Advani has said.

Though some quarters see the BJP's political agenda in the
government's step, Advani explained on Friday that the government was
able to effectively take up this issue because the states too were
supporting the Centre.

Stating that earlier some states like West Bengal were not very
cooperative, "now they too have realised" the burden on their economy
caused by the entry of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring
country, Advani said.

He said that it was the firm stand of the government which had
compelled the Bangladesh government to take back the 213 Bangladeshis
whom the Border Security Force had intercepted on the Indo-Bangla
border in West Bengal's Coochbehar district on January 31.

He indicated that government would continue to be firm on this issue
and may even harden its stand on several issues where national
security was at stake.

To this end, the Union home ministry has convened a day-long
conference of chief ministers on Saturday to discuss internal
security. The border problem will be taken up for a detailed
discussion at the conference to be inaugurated by PM Vajpayee,
official sources said.

Other issues like the multipurpose national identity cards scheme,
left-wing extremism, coastal area security, police reforms and
modernisation of state police forces, will also be taken up during the
deliberations.