Indian separatist leader arrested with arms

DHAKA: In a continuing crackdown on hideouts of Indian separatist groups in Bangladesh, a leader of the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) along with one of his Bangladeshi associates was arrested early on Saturday from Laxmipur area in Bhairab sub-district of northern Kishoreganj district.

The Ulfa leader was identified as Ranjan Chowdhury, 45, a resident of Assam in India; with his Bangladeshi accomplice Pradip Marak, 55, of Sherpur district.

One pistol, one revolver, four bullets, four bombs and some bomb-making materials were also recovered from their possessions. Officials of the elite security outfit Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) told newsmen in Dhaka on Saturday, that they arrested the two when they saw them moving suspiciously near the Abedin Clinic in the sub-district at about 4:30 am.

They were brought to Rab headquarters in Dhaka hours after their arrest, officials said. The Ulfa leader would be interrogated intensively to locate other hideouts of the Indian separatist group.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2010.