I was not arrested in India, claims UNLF head
December 3rd, 2010 - 7:28 pm ICT by IANSGuwahati, Dec 3 (IANS) Chairman of the outlawed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) Rajkumar Meghen of Manipur Friday claimed he was not arrested in India but was handed over to Indian authorities after being kidnapped’ in Bangladesh Sep 29.
“I was not arrested here but kidnapped by the Bangladesh police on Sep 29 (2010) and then handed over to India,” the 63-year-old Meghen told IANS outside the premises of a local court in Assam’s main city of Guwahati.
The court Friday had sent the separatist leader from the northeastern state of Manipur to 13 days reman with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The NIA said Meghen was arrested Tuesday from near Motihari in Bihar’s East Champaran district when the rebel leader was trying to cross over to Nepal.
“This is absolutely false. I was kidnapped in Bangladesh Sep 29,” Meghen said.
Meghen rejected any offers for peace talks with New Delhi.
“There is absolutely no question of holding talks with the government until and unless there is a plebiscite held in Manipur on our demands,” the UNLF chairman said.
The UNLF is the most influential of the nearly 19 odd rebel armies in Manipur with the outfit since its inception in 1964 fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in a state of 2.4 million people.
The nearly six feet tall Meghen was sought by Interpol with red corner notices served against him with criminal charges ranging from murder to kidnappings and robberies.
Dhaka had handed over at least 20 top northeast militant leaders and their families to India after capturing them in Bangladesh.
Interestingly, Meghen found a friend in Ranjan Daimary, chairman of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), inside the same court - the jailed NDFB chief was also brought to the same courtroom in connection with a case.
The two separatist leaders exchanged pleasantries and both were heard talking and wishing each other all the best in their respective fight for independence.
“I wish you all the best,” Daimary was heard telling Meghen as the two leaders crossed each other while entering the courtroom.
- Manipuri separatist leader Meghen nabbed in Bihar - Dec 01, 2010
- My father'll fight for free Manipur till death: rebel leader's son - Dec 02, 2010
- UNLF chairman, 18 other separatists formally charged - Feb 15, 2011
- NDFB offers indefinite ceasefire - Jul 26, 2011
- 19 ULFA rebels in Assam Police custody - Sep 25, 2010
- Bangladesh hands over NDFB chief to India (Second Lead) - May 01, 2010
- Blast in Imphal, two injured - Sep 09, 2012
- Split in ULFA ranks as 19 commanders opt for peace - Sep 25, 2010
- Bangaladesh arrested UNLF chairman: Pillai - Oct 17, 2010
- NDFB offers unilateral ceasefire for peace talks - Jan 05, 2011
- Thanks to Dhaka, one of India's most wanted fugitives arrested (Roundup) - May 01, 2010
- Will kill 20 people for every Bodo killed, threatens NDFB - Nov 01, 2010
- NDFB leader Daimary ready for talks, but without handcuffs - May 16, 2010
- 20 ULFA militants arrested in fresh Dhaka crackdown - Sep 24, 2010
- NDFB chief Daimary sent to 12 days police custody - May 02, 2010
Tags: champaran, independent homeland, indian authorities, investigation agency, local court, motihari, national democratic front, national investigation, national liberation front, northeastern state, peace talks, pleasantries, plebiscite, rebel armies, rebel leader, same courtroom, separatist leader, separatist leaders, state of manipur, united national