New Delhi, Nov 11: Aup Chetia, leader of banned group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) will be handed over to the Indian authorities and will be brought to the national capital on Wednesday. Anup Chetia, a founder member of ULFA, was arrested by the Bangladesh forces in 1997 under the Foreigners and Passport Act and faces several other charges including possession of arms and currencies of 16 different countries. In Assam, the rebel faces several charges of extortion and murders. “Chetia deportation work has been completed and he will be brought to New Delhi today (Wednesday),” said a source in the home ministry.
“This is a major breakthrough that Bangladesh government has decided to hand over ULFA leader Anup Chetia to India. It will lead to cracking of many cases, would like to thank Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and government for finally heeding to our demand,” said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (Home). When asked about who will interrogate Chetia, Kiren Rijiju said, “Investigation will be done by Central agency as well as Assam police. It is for agencies to decide.” (ALSO READ: Military policeman attacked in Bangladesh)
The 48-year-old Anup Chetia, the founder general secretary of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), is wanted for killings, abductions, bank robberies and extortion activities. Chetia was in Bangladesh ever since he fled India in early 1990s. He had been arrested in March 1991 but the then Assam Chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia released him from jail, following which he fled from India, official sources said.
Significantly, Chetia had been arrested in Bangladesh on December 21, 1997 during Hasina’s first term as Prime Minister. He had been arrested by Dhaka police under the Foreigners’ Act and Passports Act and charged with unlawful entry into Bangladesh, besides for carrying illegal foreign currencies, firearms and satellite phone. Chetia had been sentenced to seven years’imprisonment. However, on completion of the jail term, he preferred not to be released and sought political asylum. He remained in jail under a 2003 High Court directive asking Bangladesh authorities to keep him in safe custody until a decision was taken on his asylum plea. (Image credit: eprahaar.in)
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