Bangladesh repatriates three Indian nationals

Shillong, Aug 23 (UNI) Bangladesh authorities have handed over three Indian nationals, including a sympathiser of two militant groups and a girl, to Indian authorities at Dalu border in Meghalaya, a BSF official said today.

The trio, lodged in a Bangladesh jail along with other Indian insurgents since the past four years, was handed over to the Border Security Force officials yesterday by the Bangladesh Rifles.

Jackson Arengh, a sympathiser of two militant groups - the National Democratic Front of Bodoland and 'defunct' United A'chik National Front - was arrested in 2004 by Bangladesh authorities.

Jackson had provided logistics support and was acting as a local guide for the militants to cross over the Indo-Bangla border along Garo Hills, the BSF official said.

The Garo Hills, bordering Assam and neighbouring Bangladesh, is being used by militants as a corridor to sneak in and out of the country due to its strategic location.

Sengsilinda Sangma, reportedly abducted to Bangladesh by NDFB militants in 2004, has also been repatriated to India.

On the other hand, Wilson Sangma, said to be mentally retarded had unknowingly strayed into Bangladeshi territory and was amongst the three repatriated to India.

''He still does not have any knowledge about his own national identity,'' the BSF official added.

Meanwhile, the BSF have handed over the trio to the state police for interrogation.

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