Dhaka: Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf had a secret meeting with jailed ULFA leader Anup Chetia during a visit here when ex-premier Khaleda Zia of BNP was in power, a senior Bangladesh minister has alleged.
"Pervez Musharraf came to Dhaka ... when the ULFA leader
was detained in the (Dhaka Central) jail, from where he was
brought to the Sheraton Hotel" for a meeting with the
president, Local Government Minister Ashraful Islam said.
"He (Chetia) held a meeting with Pervez Musharraf for
some one and a half hours," Islam, also the general secretary
of ruling Awami League, said at a discussion on Indo-Bangla
relations yesterday.
Chetia was arrested from Dhaka during the past 1996-2001
Awami League regime and still is in "security custody" despite
the expiry of his jail term for cross-border intrusion.
Islam`s comments came as investigators here reportedly
revealed alleged links between the insurgent group and
Pakistan`s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). A probe is
underway into the country`s biggest-ever arms haul in 2004
when Bangladesh Police seized 10 truckloads of weapons
believed to be destined for ULFA hideouts in northeast India.
"The 10 truckloads of weapon were not brought to be used
in Bangladesh, these were destined to India, one lakh bullets
were seized (earlier) from (northwestern) Bogra and those too
were being smuggled to India," the minister said.
Two former top bosses of the country`s main spy agency
National Security Intelligence (NSI) were now in jail to face
trial for their alleged links to the arms haul while several
civil, police and military officials were quizzed by
investigators in connection with the scam.
The past military-backed interim government last year
ordered the reinvestigation amid allegations that there was a
deliberate attempt on the part of the then administration
under BNP to suppress facts to weaken the case.
The consignment believed to be destined for ULFA hideouts
was seized despite suspected efforts from influential quarters
for its safe passage through the southeastern port city of
Bangladesh. The case was shelved for years after the
apparently "accidental" seizure.
An earlier report quoting CID officials said detained
ex-NSI chief retired brigadier general Abdur Rahim and another
official of the intelligence agency told interrogators and the
court that a Dubai-based business group and the ISI were
involved in the abortive weapon smuggling.
Media reports had also quoted unidentified security
officials talking about ULFA`s alleged Pakistan links.
New Delhi has long been alleging that the separatist
outfit was using Bangladesh territory to carry out subversive
activities in India but this was for the first time that a
senior government leader disclosed such an incident.
However, he did not specify the date of the said meeting.
Islam`s comments came just a day ahead of the start of a
three-day India tour by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the
first since her Awami League was installed after the December
29, 2008 general elections.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni recently said ULFA leader
Chetia was unlikely to be repatriated under a proposed
Indo-Bangla treaty for exchange of sentenced persons, a deal
which is expected to be inked during Hasina`s New Delhi visit.
"I think he (Chetia) will not come under the purview of
the (proposed) agreement as it is meant for the Bangladeshi
and Indian prisoners who (are) serving in (each) other`s
country and are willing to serve the rest of their jail terms
in their own country," Moni said.
But Hasina and several government leaders have on several
occasions pledged not to allow anybody to use Bangladesh
territory. Dhaka is also believed to have extended help in
arresting ULFA chief Arbinda Rajkhowa along with some
accomplices last month as he was hiding in Bangladesh.
PTI
