Hasina\\\'s adviser rules out Chetia-Nur exchange deal

FE Team | Published: August 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi has dismissed media reports that Bangladesh may extradite jailed Indian rebel leader Anup Chetia in exchange of Nur Hossain, the prime accused in Narayanganj seven-murder case detained in India, reports UNB.
"I want to say one thing clearly that there is no linkage between Anup Chetia and others….even Nur Hossain," he told reporters.
He talked to reporters after addressing the closing session of a seminar on 'Afghanistan: Security Scenario Post-withdrawal of ISAF and Impacts on the Region' at National Defence College (NDC) at Mirpur Cantonment on Sunday.
Gowher Rizvi said the government is ready to return Anup Chetia but the process has halted pending some procedures The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) secretary general Anup Chetia has been in Bangladesh jail since 1997, while Nur Hossain is being held in a Kolkata jail.
He was arrested from an apartment in Kolkata, Paschimbanga on June 14 on charge of illegal entry into the country.
Reports published in some newspapers in India and Bangladesh speculated return of Chetia in exchange of Nur Hossain.
The day-long seminar was organized by NDC in collaboration with Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI).
Addressing the seminar Rizvi said the challenges that may emerge following the withdrawal of the US-led international forces from Afghanistan would not only affect the Afghans, but also its relation with the neighbours.
He called for close cooperation among the regional countries in the greater security interests.
Lieutenant General Mollah Fazle Akbar, Commandant of NDC inaugurated the seminar. The seminar was conducted by Air Vice Marshal M Sanaul Huq, a senior faculty member of NDC.
In his opening speech, Gen. Akbar highlighted the significance of a stable Afghanistan for overall security of the region including Bangladesh.
Military officials, civil society leaders and 76 participants of National Defence Course 2014 _ 29 of them from 12 foreign nations _attended the seminar.