February 17, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 15, 1423

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NEW DELHI, Feb 16: Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani pledged on Sunday that India would deport illegal migrants, as Indian border guards said they foiled an attempt by 200 Bangladeshis to enter the country.

Advani’s comments came a day after he met in New Delhi with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan for talks on the illegal immigration dispute.

Without naming Bangladesh, Advani said illegal migration from a neighbouring country had increased and that many of the “foreigners” had acquired valid identification documents.

“They all have to be sent back and it is the responsibility of police in all states to do it honestly, lawfully but firmly,” Advani told a police function in New Delhi.

India’s borders were “such that infiltration is possible even if security forces are there,” said Advani, as quoted by the PTI.

Rudrapal Singh, deputy inspector general in India’s Border Security Force, said some 200 Bangladeshis tried to enter India at Sikarpur around the same time Khan was wrapping up his visit to New Delhi.—AFP