BD refutes Indian claim on sanctuary

Published December 15, 2001

DHAKA, Dec 14: Dhaka has refuted Indian officials’ claim that Indian separatist groups setting up camps or relocating bases in Bangladesh.

Indian officials suggested that United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) outfits are moving into Bangladesh to set up camps and bases. Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman, when contacted, condemned such reports and said: “Bangladesh does not support any form of sanctuary, or training, neither does it support any terrorist group in its territory.”

Police chief of the Indian State of Meghalaya, L. Sailo has been quoted by the French news agency from Guwahati as saying “we have been getting reports of ULFA units winding up camps inside Bhutan and trying to shift over to Bangladesh via Meghalaya, and in the process setting up some temporary shelters in parts of the Garo Hills (in Bangladesh).”

Analysts say whenever the activities of ULFA, or for that matter, any other rebel groups are reported, a section of Indian media has always been quick to blame Bangladesh for helping them by quoting officials. The Indian officials, however, could never provide any concrete evidence to support their claim or the basis of their information, the added.

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