Chairman of United A'chik National Front killed in Bangladesh

Shillong, June 19 (UNI) The Border Security Force today confirmed that Nemos Marak-- the 'Chairman' of the United A'chik National Front (UANF), a militant outfit based in Garo Hills, Meghalaya-- has been killed in Bangladesh.

The UANF 'Chairman' and his Deputy Salang Marak were killed in a gunbattle at a remote Bangladesh frontier outpost Bhuichhari near Baghaichhari in Rangamati on June 13 night when a joint team of the Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion personnel raided an Indian militant hide-out reportedly belonging to the proscribed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT).

''The BSF has been able to confirm from our sources that Sisir Marak- one of the two drug pedlars killed in Bangladesh- is none other than Nemos Marak'', Additional Deputy Inspector General of Border Security Force M N Sajjan told UNI here today.

However, Meghalaya Director General of Police William Richmond Marbaniang said that the state's police is still trying to get information from the wife of the slain UANF militant leader.

Earlier, Bangladesh Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar recently told the BBC Bangla Service, ''the raid was conducted on the request made by India with regard to the kidnapping of Indian customs officials by insurgents or miscreants''.

Intelligence agencies here who were trying to ascertain whether Sisir Marak is Nemos Marak said, the UANF leader became a prime target of the Bangladesh authorities following the abduction of two Indian customs officials- Dharani Bora and Mrinal Sharma between Jakrokona and Baburambeel in South Garo Hills district, bordering Bangladesh on May 14.

Mr Bora and Mr Sharma were released after paying a huge ransom of money.

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