United Liberation Front of Assam's (ULFA) general secretary Anup Chetia, who was deported by Bangladesh to India this week, was part of a prisoner swap between the neighbouring countries, as India released wanted Bangladeshi murderer Nur Hossain and handed him over to Bangladesh.
Nur Hossain, who is said to be an Awami League leader, has been accused of seven murders with the help of Bangladesh's elite police force, the Rapid Action Battalion. Among Hossain's victims were politicians from his own party; the bodies had been found floating in a river.
Hossain was arrested in Kolkata in June 2014 after he illegally entered into India.
He was handed over to Bangladeshi border guards on Thursday, a day after Bangladesh deported Chetia, one of the founders of the banned Assamese outfit ULFA, 18 years after he had been arrested (in Bangladesh).
Chetia's long-pending deportation to India was delayed by Bangladesh, which was reportedly waiting for the ratification of the land boundary agreement that was done during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka earlier this year.
The prisoner swap between India and Bangladesh was reportedly planned last year during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Dhaka, according to The Indian Express.
Bangladesh had reportedly sought custody of Hossain and had assured Chetia's deportation in return.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijuju though seemed to credit only Modi for the deportation of Chetia.
According to NDTV, the Centre had asked West Bengal to drop charges of illegal entry against Hossain two days before Chetia's return.
Chetia, whose real name is Golap Baruah, is now in CBI custody. He is the most wanted man in Assam, for murders, abductions and extortions during his "fight" for the state's "independence".
He is expected to be part of the Assam peace talks between ULFA leaders, the Centre and the state government of Assam.
