I was not arrested in India, claims UNLF head

GUWAHATI - 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 Assams 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 Bihars 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.