Dhaka, Jan 6 (IANS) Bangladesh will not allow its territory to be used by “militants and terrorists of another country”, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
Hasina Tuesday said she would “not invite trouble for the country” by allowing militants and terrorists to use Bangladesh for carrying out terrorism in another country.

She is heading for New Delhi next week for summit level talks where cooperation against militancy and terrorism, both bilaterally and in the South Asian region, is high on the agenda.

India has for long complained against the activities of militants who use Bangladeshi soil for staging operations in its northeastern region. While previous governments in Dhaka have denied their existence, Hasina has been pro-active in ending their activities.

Last year, Indian authorities captured seven top militants of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) after tacit help from Dhaka.

“They (militants and terrorists) will use the land of Bangladesh to conduct their terrorism in another country and we will create enmity by harbouring them - this cannot be,” Hasina told a meeting of top police officials.

The prime minister noted that “in the unipolar world it is very easy to convey message from one side of the world to another side very quickly. Another power could invade the country for any reason”.

Her government would not give such a chance to anyone. “I am not telling the name,” she was quoted as saying by United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency.

Islamist militants have made several attempts on Hasina’s life.

“I know there are risks. I also have life threat but for the sake of the country and its sovereignty, I will not allow that.”

Hasina said for the sake of independence and sovereignty, she was “taking the risk to protect the country from being used as the base of another country’s militants and terrorists”.