India, Bangladesh to exchange terror suspects

Mar 14, 2007, 16:03 GMT

Dhaka - Bangladesh and India were moving to an exchange of terror suspects Wednesday, agreeing to share confidential information on cross-border crimes.

Bangladesh gave a list of some 170 Islamic militants and tribal rebels to the Indian authorities, while India submitted its list of over 70 wanted persons sheltering allegedly in Bangladesh, sources in the Home Affairs Ministry said.

The exchange of lists took place as both countries stepped up a vigil on the common border by the Indian Border Security Force and the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles.

The move comes in the wake of a firm commitment to fight terrorism by both. India specifically seeks early deportation of Anup Chetia, top leader of the rebel United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).

Chetia spent time in a Bangladeshi prison for illegally entering the country.

The common frontier runs for over 400 kilometres - most of it highly porous. Cross-border crimes include smuggling of drugs and arms and human trafficking apart from illegal migrations.

About 6.5 kilometres of the land boundary has remained undemarcated since Bangladesh independence in 1971. The two neighbours have no extradition treaty.