**Bangladeshi security forces have handed over to Indian authorities a leader of a separatist group from India’s north-east, officials said.**Chairman of the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), Arabinda Rajkhowa, his family and another key militant were handed over in the state of Meghalaya.
Mr Rajkhowa was put under house arrest in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, three days ago.
The Ulfa rebels have fought for a separate Assamese state since 1979.
Custody of Mr Rajkhowa, 53, and nine others - including Ulfa military operations deputy chief Raju Barua - was given to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Dawki outpost in the Jaintia hills district, BSF officials told the BBC.
The rebel leader’s wife and two children were among those handed over.
The group was later flown to Guwahati city in Assam and handed over to police, officials said.
‘Under pressure’
Mr Rajkhowa had, in recent weeks, repeatedly expressed his desire to start negotiations and blamed Delhi for the delay.
But his peace overtures were not backed by the powerful Ulfa military chief, Paresh Barua.
Mr Rajkhowa had taken the initiative to start negotiations with Delhi in 1992 but the effort failed because of Mr Barua’s determination to carry on the armed separatist movement.
Another attempt in 2006, using a citizens’ mediation committee, failed when Ulfa refused to declare a ceasefire and renounce violence during the negotiations.
Ever since the Awami League came to power in Bangladesh in January, the Ulfa and other north-eastern rebel groups have been under pressure to leave the country or face action.
Some rebels have been arrested and sent back to India on charges of illegal entry into Bangladesh, while others have been held for questioning to secure information on rebel hideouts.
Mr Rajkhowa was also placed under house arrest in Bangladesh, but he was not arrested formally, giving rise to speculation that he too would be “pushed back” into India.
Foreign nationals accused of illegal entry into Bangladesh can by law be returned to their country of origin without undergoing cumbersome legal proceedings.