Runaway United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) leader Anup Chetia alias Golap Baruah, extradited from Bangladesh, was on Wednesday presented before a Guwahati court, which remanded him in five-day CBI custody.

Chetia, who was lodged in a Bangladesh jail ever since his arrest in 1997, was brought to Guwahati on Wednesday morning aboard a special aircraft by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on transit remand.

He was taken straight from the airport to the CBI court amid tight security. Security personnel did not even allow waiting media persons to have a word with Chetia.

Some members of Chetia's family — including his wife and son — and senior members of ULFA's pro-talks faction, however, managed to exchange a few words and greetings with him.

"On November 12, the CBI arrested Chetia regarding a murder case registered in the Golaghat district (of Assam) in 1986. CBI officials today (on Wednesday) demanded 14-day custody of Chetia. After hearing us, the magistrate remanded Chetia in five-day CBI custody," said Chetia's counsel Bijan Mahajan.

Mahajan said the court asked CBI officials to provide medical assistance to Chetia, apart from good food, while in custody.

"The court also ordered for health check-up of Chetia every 24 hours and submission of a report to this effect," said Mahajan, adding that the CBI was directed to allow Chetia's counsel and family members to meet him.

Some members of the pro-talks ULFA faction — engaged in peace talks with the Central government since 2010 — later told mediapersons Chetia was fine.

Chetia's wife Monika Baruah Chetia told journalists he did not recognise her at first. "I am very happy. The wait is finally over and I wish the government of India will ensure his release so the talks can go ahead," she said.

Heavy security was deployed in the court and barricades put up in the premises in order to stop people from reaching near Chetia or raising pro-ULFA slogans, as was done when ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa was presented before a court in 2009.

Chetia was first arrested in 1991 but was released on his assurance that he would bring other ULFA leaders to the negotiating table.

However, he fled the country. He was arrested by Bangladesh police in December 1997 for entering the country with fake documents, possessing illegal foreign currency, firearms and a satellite phone.