Meanwhile, India has indicated its willingness to hand over Sazzad Hossain (33), hardcore activist of the Islamic Chhatra Shibir, who was arrested recently from Amritsar airport, to Dhaka. Bangladesh authorities had alerted Interpol authorities about Sazzad, accused of shooting dead at least eight people in Chittagong in 2000. Seven of his victims were members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, affiliated to the Awami League.

Sazzad had fled to India and gone on to Dubai. At Amritsar, he was arrested with false documents, attempting to return to Dubai. The CBI’s Interpol wing arrested him.

In recent years, co-operation over regional security matters and anti terrorism operations had improved considerably between the two countries. Although there is as yet no extradition treaty in place, there have been several rounds of high-level talks to work out one. The last round occurred in Dhaka on October 15 and 16, with Home Ministry officials of both countries participating. During the last two years, over two-dozen wanted persons, criminals and others have been arrested and sent back to their respective countries by both governments. ULFA Chairman Arabindra Rajkhowa was a prize catch for India when Bangladesh repatriated him. The banned outfit effectively split down the middle as Rajkhowa opted for peace talks with the Government of India, even as his opponents, led by ULFA military commander Paresh Barua, decided to prolong their struggle. With Bangladesh not allowing the ULFA to operate out of its territory any more, the organisation was forced to shift its base to areas in Myanmar close to the Chinese border.

Chetia fled to Bangladesh in 1997. In 2000, he was arrested and sentenced for five years for having crossed the border and entering illegally. During the BNP rule in Bangladesh, Dhaka repeatedly ignored Indian requests to repatriate him, allowing the ULFA a free run instead.

As for Sazzad, a Chittagong Court sentenced him to death in March 2008, in absentia. Interestingly, he had been arrested in 2001, but bailed in 2004, the reason being a change of regime in Bangladesh. He fled to Dubai later. Currently, Chittagong authorities are reported to have sent relevant documents to Dhaka to begin the process of his repatriation to India.

India has also helped in helping curb drug smuggling into Bangladesh in recent years, on a request from Dhaka. Bangladesh submitted a list of 73 illegal factories operating near the Indo-Bangla border at different places, producing and smuggling large quantities of phensidyl, in 2010 and another 62 units the following year. India has destroyed or dismantled most of them, leading to a major reduction in consumption in Bangladesh.

Despite points of contention between the two countries over the proposed Teesta waster sharing accord and related issues, bi-lateral co-operation in other areas has improved in recent years with the Cong(I) ruling India and the Awami League in Bangladesh. (IPA)