By Our Reporter
media persons at HQ, BSF, Umpling on Friday. (ST)
SHILLONG: Director General of Border Security Force (BSF), UK Bansal, on Friday asserted that GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma has been arrested and is currently jailed in Bangladesh.
Bansal’s statement has confirmed reports appeared earlier that the dreaded militant chief is finally in the custody of the authorities.
When asked for details about the arrest, the BSF official refused to comment further even though he said: “I am saying he is in jail from a long time now.”
Reacting to a query about the extradition of Champion Sangma to India, he said that the GNLA chief has to complete his sentence in Bangladesh before his extradition to India.
Earlier, there were reports that Bangladesh authorities had launched a massive manhunt to nab the GNLA chief and the ‘confirmed’ report of his arrest assumes significance in view of the fact that GNLA is carrying out its illegal activities in many parts of Garo Hills.
According to Bansal, both the BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are working closely to ensure that there is no cross-border movement along the Indo-Bangla border. The BSF official also made it clear that militant activities in the State are under control since the State is going to elections next year.
When asked about the anti-India insurgency camps that are operating on Bangladeshi soil, Bansal stated that these are intelligent reports which are sometimes reliable but are not verified reports.
He also stated that the BSF is arming itself with the latest technology like installation of hand-held thermal imagers, Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR) and night vision devices to ensure effective vigilance along the border areas.
Pointing out that there are thirty-three locations along the Indo-Bangla border where trade is allowed, the official also stated that the BSF will work with the State Government to ensure that there is no cross border movement of militants in the Meghalaya sector through these trading areas.
During his visit to the State, the BSF official also met Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and DGP N Ramachandran and discussed various issues pertaining to border management.
Earlier, the DG while addressing BSF jawans and officers exhorted them to maintain utmost vigil in the border and ensure security of border areas and border population.
The BSF so far this year has apprehended nineteen militants including five GNLA cadres, four HNLC cadres besides fourteen linkmen of various militant outfits.
Meghalaya shares a 443 km porous border with Bangladesh which is manned by 9 battalions consisting of around 10,000 BSF personnel.