Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 424 Fri. August 05, 2005  
   
Front Page


India's airspace violation concerns JS body


The ruling BNP lawmakers yesterday at a parliamentary body meeting expressed concern over "repeated" violation of Bangladesh airspace by Indian airforce's jet planes and called for effective steps to stop it.

Participating in the discussion, main opposition Awami League (AL) lawmakers Kazi Zafarullah and Syed Ashraful Islam suggested solving the problem through diplomatic channel.

The parliamentary standing committee on the foreign ministry, however, did not make any recommendation and asked the foreign ministry to inform the committee on how many times the airspace was violated, the meeting sources said.

Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin informed the parliamentary body that in such case the foreign ministry generally sends protest notes to the Indian government.

Ruling BNP lawmaker and committee member Mahbubur Rahman, who raised the issue, suggested initiating diplomatic negotiation in the interest of national sovereignty.

Talking to The Daily Star, Mahbubur Rahman said he also suggested raising the issue at higher level discussion.

BNP lawmaker Manjur Quader presided over the meeting in absence of the committee chairman.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan was not present at the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad.