Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Centre denies arrest of Paresh Barua

By Spl correspondent

NEW DELHI, May 20 � After a day of confusion over detention of ULFA chief Paresh Barua and handing over of detained general secretary, Anup Chetia, the Ministry of Home Affairs denied both reports.

Union Home Secretary, G K Pillai told newsmen here that the Union Government has no reports of detention of the elusive commander-in-chief. He further denied that Chetia was handed over to Indian authorities by Bangladesh.

� The Government of India has no reports of arrest of ULFA chief,� said Pillai, while dismissing reports in a section of the media (not this newspaper).

�We have no information regarding arrest of ULFA chief in Bangladesh, as reported in the media,� a spokesman of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said earlier in the day.

The report of arrest of Barua caught officials in the Home Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry by surprise. The Embassy in Dhaka was contacted, as intelligence agencies got busy verifying the reports.

According to news report that appeared in national dailies, the ULFA leader was apprehended by the Bangladeshi security agencies about 12 days ago, when he was crossing over to Bangladesh via Myanmar border after visiting Chinese Yunnan province.

Barua was reportedly held at a place near Teknaf in Bangladesh, when he was said to be on a purchasing spree of arms and ammunition for his outfit from Narinco Arms factory.

The news report, quoting sources said India expected Bangladesh to hand him over as soon once they finish interrogating him.

There were also reports that Barua was handed over to India and was formally arrested at Bangalore from a Bangkok bound flight. However, it was later denied.

Meanwhile, Anup Chetia�s case seems to be struck in legal snarls, in absence of an Extradition Treaty between India and Bangladesh.

Sources said that Chetia�s case was different because he was officially detained by Bangladesh and had undergone prison term in that country. Unlike other top militant leaders, Chetia cannot be handed over secretly,� sources said.

Though Bangladesh Government and India has signed a treaty to hand over �criminals who have completed jail term in each other country, Chetia�s application for political asylum pending before UNHRC is considered another hurdle.

It has been learnt that Chetia may be formally handed over to a team of Indian security officials comprising CBI and Assam Police. However, authorities here were silent about the timing.

Next Story