India seeks extradition of Anup Chetia

Dhaka, Sep 7: India has asked Bangladesh to expedite the extradition of top ULFA insurgent Anup Chetia who has served out his sentence in this country after being arrested on the charge of entering without valid documents in 1997.

Indian officials accompanying Prime Minister to Dhaka said a request was made to Bangladeshi counterparts. "But they (Bangladesh) have a legal process. We have made a request. Let us see." Chetia, who is ULFA general secretary, is currently lodged in a Dhaka jail. He and his two associates were arrested in Dhaka on December 21, 1997 and sentenced to seven years for illegal intrusion.

The issue of handing over of Chetia had figured in talks between the two governments when Home Minister P Chidambaram had visited Dhaka in July this year.

Chetia has sought asylum in Bangladesh and refused to return to India, even after his jail term ends here, apprehending insecurity of his life.

Sources said Chetia could become the first person to be deported to India after India and Bangladesh sign an extradition treaty which is under discussion.

PTI