(Image source from: Bangladesh hands over ULFA leader Anup Chetia to India})

Bangladesh has handed over ULFA leader Anup Chetia to India, Wednesday morning. Because of the lack of extradition treaty between the countries, the Government of India was not able to extradite him before. This comes as a breakthrough after many attempts to secure his custody over the past two decades.

As per the Government sources, after the personal intervention from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that Chetia was handed over by Bangladesh. Sources revealed that a major role was played by the National Security Advisor A K Doval.

It was said by ht sources of the government that, Chetia return to India would boost the talks of the Indian government with the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led ULFA faction and weaken the position of ULFA rebel leader Paresh Barua. Chetia is the founding member and general secretary of ULFA - the United Liberation Front of Asom.

A government source said, “It would definitely be a boost to the talks with ULFA and further weaken Barua’s position. Whatever little hope Barua had of some support from his community, Chetia being from the same community and being the original founder of ULFA weakens Barua that much further.”

“Talks with ULFA have been going on, and should be completed soon. But Chetia’s presence and endorsement of the talks was important for Assam,” the source added.

“While India has been asking Bangladesh for Chetia for the past two decades, an intensive pursuit has been on over the last five years. While there is no formal extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh yet, the CBI had managed to secure an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Chetia, who is wanted for murder, abduction and extortion cases in India,” said the source.

-Sumana