Tension on the Indo-Bangla border on Thursday eased with the Bangladesh Rifles taking back all the 213 illegal immigrants who were stranded on the 'zero line' for nearly one week.

The Border Security Force's acting Inspector General of West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, K C Sharma, told rediff.com: "There is no tension on the border now... last night the Bangladesh Rifles used the cover of darkness to take back all the 213 illegal immigrants."

Asked if the meeting of the inspector generals of the BSF and the BDR will take place, he said, "We have given them time for 2 pm. I will represent the BSF. Let us see how they respond under the new development."

On Wednesday Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani had made it clear that India will not accept the illegal immigrants.

Defence Minister George Fernandes had said that the situation on the border was 'out of control'.

The external affairs ministry had also mounted diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh.

Share your comments

What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 21 Sub: Don't be illogical Asif It is very surprising to note commnets of Asif. He just wants to join the psuedo-secular media in bashing the NDA govt. And in that ... Posted by Shankar Sub: VANISHING ACT THOUGH THE BSF IS CLAIMING THAT ALL THE 213 ILLEGAL BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANTS HAVE GONE BACK TO BANGLADESH WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE BDR, THE BDR IS ... Posted by SOUVIK BANERJEE Sub: RE:Very surprising 1. Illegal immigrants cannot be taken in if they want to go back to their native country and more importanty they have not formally applied ... Posted by Munshi Sub: Very surprising So its very easy for indians to believe that only muslims of bangladesh are migrating to india for better lifestyle? What about all the religious ... Posted by Asif Sub: illegal immigrants It is good to see that matter ended peacefully. The most unfortunate part of this episode was that a country was reluctant to take its ... Posted by rakesh