Assam rebels 'arrested in Dhaka'

By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta

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A separatist group in India's troubled north-east says that Bangladeshi police have arrested two of their top leaders.

The United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) said armed men in civilian dress entered their safe house in Dhaka and took away the two men at gunpoint.

Dhaka said it did not know of any arrests. Bangladesh has detained Ulfa leaders in the past. One, Anup Chetia, served almost 12 years in jail there.

The rebels have fought for a separate Assamese homeland since 1979.

Safety plea

Chitrabon Hazarika and Sasha Chaoudhary were taken from a house in Dhaka just past midnight on 2 November, senior Ulfa leader Raju Barua said in an e-mailed statement.

Mr Barua said the two leaders were told they were being taken for questioning.

He appealed to Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure their safety.

"We are living in Bangladesh as law-abiding citizens, so why should we be harmed in their country," Mr Barua said in the statement.

Ever since the Awami League party came to power in Bangladesh in January, the Ulfa and other north-eastern rebel groups have been under pressure to leave the country or face action.

Some rebels have been arrested and sent back to India on charges of illegal entry into Bangladesh, while others have been held for questioning to secure information on rebel hideouts.

The Bangladeshi home secretary told the BBC that no Ulfa men had been arrested.

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