Anup Chetia to be handed over in 3 weeks

by News Desk
August 5, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1625/anup-chetia-to-be-handed-over-in-3-weeks

Prior to Bangladesh tour of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in September, Dhaka is taking all necessary measures in handing over one of the top ranking ULFA leaders, who is detained in Rajshahi Central Jail [at southern part of Bangladesh].

Earlier a team of high-ranking officials from the government met Anup Chetia, military-wing chief of ULFA and informed him of handing him over to Indian authorities.

Mr. Chetia was visibly happy at the decision of Bangladesh government, as a number of front ranking ULFA leaders, including Aravinda Rajkhowa was recently released from Indian prisons for taking part in peace talks with the government.

Bangladeshi Home Minister Sahara Khatun earlier this week had said Dhaka was likely to soon hand over Chetia to India, which has long been seeking his repatriation for a long time.

"I don't think there is any obstacle in handing him over to India ... But definitely there are procedures in extraditing someone who is in jail," she had said, ahead of Prime Minister Singh's visit.

Meanwhile, in a silent bid, Bangladesh government is lifting embargoes on allowing Indian Bangla and Hindi films from being released in Bangladeshi cinema halls. A Bollywood based blog confirmed this information in news titled "Bollywood returns to Bangladesh after 39 years."

The blog said, "It's official. After being exiled for 39 long years, Indian films are all set to release in Bangladesh."

It said, "In January 2010, Bangladesh decided to allow the release of Indian films but this happy period lasted only six months as aggrieved local filmmakers cried foul and appealed against the decision. Thus, Indian films were banned again. Now, cinema owners, fed up with the lack of local interest in local fare, appealed to the court to allow Indian film imports and the courts have agreed.

"Coming September, after Eid-Ul-Fitr, cinemas in Bangladesh will begin screening Indian fare. First up are three Bengali films Jour, Badla and Sangram, which are currently awaiting approval from the Bangladesh censor board. And after that is a parade of some of Bollywood's biggest hits including Sholay, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Dhoom:2, Don (SRK, not Amitabh), Wanted and 3 Idiots. Trouble is, all these films are freely available in the country on pirated discs. Will the average Bangladeshi punter fork out a few Takas for the novelty of watching them in the cinema? Only time will tell. At least, it's a start."

While Indian media is happy over Bangladeshi government's "over enthusiasm" in handing over ULFA leaders or importing Indian films or giving un-disputed transit facilities to India, very surprisingly, India is reluctant in allowing Bangladeshi TV channels from being shown in the Indian cable network. Indian authorities consider Bangladeshi channels as "enemy media". On the other end, Bangladeshi cable operators are paying millions of dollars every year to Indian channels, as most of such channels, including those regional Tamil and Telegu are even allowed in Bangladeshi cable TV network.

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