SHILLONG, Feb 5 (IANS) - Bangladesh authorities Saturday handed over three more rebel leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to Indian frontier guards at Dawki area in Meghalaya, an official said.
ULFA 'captain' Upen Buragohain alias Antu Chaudang, 'second lieutenant' Pradip Chetia and corporal Saurav were handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) after they were long captured by Bangladesh security forces in that country.
"The Bangladesh Border Guards have handed over the three ULFA rebels to us (BSF) this (Saturday) morning at Dawki and simultaneously we handed them over to Assam Police," the BSF official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
The trio has been taken to Assam for further interrogation.
ULFA publicity cell manager Arun Dohotia had earlier claimed that Buragohain and Chetia were picked up by Indian intelligence agencies in Bangladesh Dec 13.
Saturday's handing over assumed significance in the wake of ULFA's acceptance of holding unconditional peace talks with the Indian government that may bring the curtains down on more than three decades of insurgency in Assam.
The peace talks, to be held in New Delhi Feb 10, will be led by ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa. Home Minister P. Chidambaram or Home Secretary G.K. Pillai are expected to lead the government side.
