Dhaka has proof on Musharraf-ULFA leader meeting

Bangladesh government has "evidence" that ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia's administration had arranged a "secret meeting" in Dhaka between former Pakistan president Parvez Musharraf with jailed ULFA leader Anup Chetia, a separatist leader wanted by India.

Defending his claim that Musharraf had met Chetia, Local Government Minister and ruling Awami League's general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said, "We've the evidence. We've not made any statement without evidence. I am aware that no comment should be made about a president without any evidence."

His renewed claim came a day after BNP denied the charge and demanded the proof that United Liberation Front of Assam leader Chetia held a meeting with the visiting Pakistani president for some one and half hours as he was brought to his hotel suit at Dhaka's Sheraton Hotel from Dhaka Central Jail.

"This is an irresponsible allegation. Come up with the proof if you have any," BNP secretary general Khandakar Delwar Hossain earlier said adding that in no way such comments were expected from a "responsible person like him (Islam)" and "he should not make such hollow remarks."

Islam made the allegation on Friday at a round-table on Bangladesh-India relations saying, "You can guess what was discussed in such a long meeting."

Although he did not say when the meeting took place,  Musharraf had visited Dhaka in July 2002.

Chetia was arrested in Bangladesh during the past 1996-2001 Awami League regime and still is in "security custody" despite the expiry of his jail term for cross-border intrusion.

Islam made the allegation three days ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first official visit to India, while investigators reportedly found alleged links between ULFA and the Pakistani Inter Service Intelligence (ISI).

The allegation came as a probe is underway into the country's biggest ever weapon haul in 2004 when Bangladesh police seized 10 truck loads of weapons believed to be destined to ULFA hideouts in northeastern India.

New Delhi have long been alleging that the separatist outfit was using Bangladesh territory to carryout subversive activities, an allegation which Dhaka all through rejected even when Zia's BNP-led government was in power.

But Hasina and several government leaders since assuming office after the December 29, 2008 general elections on several occasions expressed firm pledges not to allow anybody to use Bangladesh territory.

Dhaka is believed to have extended hands in arresting the ULFA chief Arbinda Rajkhowa along with several accomplices last month as he was hiding in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni recently said the ULFA leader was unlikely to be repatriated under a proposed Dhaka-New Delhi treaty for exchange of sentenced persons, a deal which is expected to be inked during Hasina's New Delhi visit. The bilateral ties is said to have witnessed its lowest ebb during the 2001-2006 tenure of BNP-led coalition.