'Bangla-India train check at Dhaka would be suicidal'

Paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles has taken objection to the government's plan to carry out immigration and customs checks of the Dhaka-Kolkata train in Dhaka, fearing it could facilitate cross-border movement of terrorists, official sources said on Wednesday.

Communication ministry sources said they have received a letter from the paramilitary border guards, saying plans seeking to accomplish the immigration and customs checks at the originating station in Dhaka outskirts could be "suicidal" from the security point of view.

BDR instead suggested that customs and immigration formalities should be carried out either at a makeshift station at the western frontier or at bordering Gede in India by upgrading the Indian station to a secure station with international standards.

When asked about the letter, the BDR did not offer any comment.

Sources in paramilitary forces said they were concerned as the train might not be guarded against weapon and drug smuggling or terrorist movement all the way if the security checks were carried out at the originating station.

Bangladesh and India on Tuesday agreed to launch the direct train service between Dhaka and Kolkata in the next four weeks.

Officials of the two countries also decided that the customs and immigration facilities would be provided at Dhaka Cantonment station before the start of the journey to Kolkata, while India is poised to complete its customs and immigration formalities at Gede station close to the border.

Communication ministry officials said if necessary the government would take stock of the objections.