According to Bangladeshi media reports, the proposal came from Pakistan at the conference of SAARC Home Ministers in the region at Islamabad some days ago. Pakistan Home Minister Mr. Rehman Malik made the proposal, where representatives from India and other member countries attended. Mr. Malik argued that the idea was to facilitate more effective and speedier exchange of important information.

The reports said the idea received support from Sri Lanka representatives, who also suggested the strengthening of Colombo-based regional organisations, Drug Offences Monitoring Desk and Terror Offences Monitoring Desk.

The conference, of which a meeting of regional police chiefs was also a part, discussed a 13-point agenda, according to information available in Kolkata. Setting up an integrated regional police network was a priority. This would make it easier for police forces in the member countries to monitor and combat terrorist activities, illegal drug trade, human trafficking, smuggling and other crimes, through an exchange of information and the establishment of a data bank. Lists of criminal organisations and their members and other details would be available at short notice.

The conference also discussed steps to ease existing visa and travel restrictions within the region, although at present selected categories of people, such as MPs, judges, business and journalists enjoyed more relaxed travel conditions than before.

However, it is understood that in some SAARC countries,, reservations have been expressed at the necessity for a regional police force. There was a feeling that the existing police forces could through bilateral co-operation exchange and share critical information about criminal activities. A new regional force with sweeping powers would entail high expenditure and result in more bureaucratic procedures, not to mention increase the chances of security lapses.

Apart from India, other members of the SAARC grouping are: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan. (IPA)