NEW DELHI, May 7 � Emboldened by the growing bonhomie between the two countries, India has sought custody of detained general secretary of ULFA Anup Chetia, highly-placed sources said.
The latest request was passed on to the visiting key aide to Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mashiur Rahman, who is on a four-day tour of the country met Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Adviser, Shivshankar Menon on Wednesday.
Rahman�s visit comes close on the heels of talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina on April 29.
Sources said in his meeting with the NSA, security related issues particularly relating to militants of North-east taking shelter in the neighbouring country was deliberated at length. The two officials reviewed three key security and counter-terror pacts signed during Sheikh Hasina�s visit to India, the official added.
Menon reportedly conveyed New Delhi�s desire to have custody of the ULFA leader Anup Chetia. His presence is reported to be the key to the peace process that the government is keen to start.NSA expressed India�s gratitude to Rehman for handing over NDFB chairman Ranjan Daimary to India.
Later, Mukherjee apart from discussing the economic issues also touched on security related matter and urged the Adviser to convey New Delhi�s keenness to have custody of Chetia.
The detained ULFA general secretary has completed his jail term in Bangladesh and currently under �protective custody�. Dhaka has been maintaining that his application for political asylum is pending decision.
Sources said during Sheikh Hasina�s meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in Thimpu on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit, it was conveyed that Dhaka should keep up the pressure on the militants of the North-East. While Dr Singh appreciated Dhaka�s cooperation, he also stressed on the need to sustain the operations against the militants.
