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Bangla forces on red alert following ULFA threat

Bangladesh tightened security along its border with India amidst fears that the militant United Liberation Front of Asom would launch attacks in retaliation to the arrest of the group's leaders in Dhaka.

ULFA may even bomb Bangladeshi targets and kill people to pressure the government to release its leaders, the Associated Press of Bangladesh said.

On December 21, the police arrested a top ULFA leader, Anup Chetia, and two other rebels for staying illegally in Bangladesh for the past year.

On Sunday, Paresh Barua, leader of the armed wing of the ULFA, reportedly asked the Bangladesh government not to deport the three leaders to India and to release them unconditionally. But a government official said Chetia's extradition was still being discussed by India and Bangladesh.

APB and The Independent, an English-language daily, said the home ministry had instructed all security agencies to keep strict surveillance of the border and prevent the entry of ULFA rebels.

A senior police official said that more than 50 insurgents from the seven Indian states bordering Bangladesh have been in police custody in two years.

EARLIER REPORT:
ULFA leader held by Bangladesh police

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