Chetia`s repatriation unlikely under proposed deal: Dhaka

Dhaka, Sept 12 (PTI) Bangladesh has said that top United
Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) leader Anup Chetia, now in
prison here, cannot be extradited to India as demanded by New
Delhi as the proposed bilateral deal for exchange of prisoners
covers only those who are serving jail terms.

However, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has made it clear
that Dhaka will not allow its soil to be used for anti-India
activities.

Her remarks are significant as India has said several
times that many of the top ULFA leaders including its
Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah are holed up in Bangladesh.

Chetia, who was arrested in 1997 for intruding into
Bangladesh, has completed his term, the Daily Star said.

"To my knowledge, he (Chetia) completed his term and
therefore will not come under the purview of the treaty," Moni
told newsmen on Friday after her return from India.

Sources said Chetia continues to be held in prison by
authorities for "security reasons". India and Bangladesh do
not have an extradition treaty currently.

A senior Foreign Ministry official on Saturday said the
proposed treaty would not help extradition of separatist
United Liberation of Asom general secretary Chetia.

"As she (Dipu Moni) said yesterday, the proposed treaty
is meant for Bangladeshi and Indian prisoners serving terms
currently in each other's jails," he said. (MORE) PTI