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Gujral asks Bangla premier to extradite ULFA leader

Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral has requested Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina to extradite United Liberation Front of Asom general secretary Anup Chetia, who has several cases pending against him in India.

At a meeting lasting an hour in Dhaka on Wednesday night, Gujral also unequivocally conveyed India's security concerns in the region.

"The meeting was extremely warm and cordial,'' an official spokesman said, "And the Bangladesh government is looking into Gujral's request."

Chetia, a top ULFA activist, was arrested by Interpol earlier this month.

The spokesman said the two countries were in touch on the issue through diplomatic channels.

Gujral and Hasina first had a meeting along with their respective delegations, before settling down for a one-to-one encounter.

Asked about the Chakma refugees, the spokesman said Gujral told Hasina that India would continue to facilitate repatriation to those staying in camps in Tripura.

The Indian prime minister said the trilateral business summit of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, beginning Thursday in Dhaka, would be a 'path-breaking' event for promoting economic co-operation.

He said India was willing to go more than halfway regarding trade with Bangladesh. In this regard, India was ready to purchase surplus gas from Bangladesh.

Gujral said he considered Dhaka as the very hub of the region. He reiterated the need for improving infrastructure there and called for better transport and communication.

Sheikh Hasina said the business summit would go a long way in promoting regional cooperation and achieving the goal of South Asian Free Trade Area by 2001.

UNI

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