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The Lamka Times

Friday, July 9, 2010

India, Myanmar pact likely

NEW DELHI, July 8 – India is likely to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Myanmar next month.

According to sources the agreement is designed to end the free run enjoyed by some of the militant outfits of the North-East in Myanmar.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has finalised the text of the agreement and after being endorsed by Myanmar, it could be signed as early as next month, sources said.

The proposed treaty has enabling provisions that will help both countries expediting criminal investigations, judicial proceedings, gathering evidences and assisting each other during investigations, sources said.

It would also pave the way for examining witnesses in each other's countries, including in jails, he added.

India has proposed reimburse the expenditure incurred by the neighbouring country looking for militant leaders.

A clause in the proposed Treaty has a provision for 'cost compensation that would allow Myanmar to seek expenses incurred on 'special investigations' carried out by it on India's request.

Sources said cost compensation is part of normal mutual legal assistance treaty but India has put emphasis on the provision to ensure that Myanmar undertakes special investigations into cases concerning insurgency-related activities in India, the official explained.

The agreement with Myanmar comes close on the heels of a similar agreement signed with Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh signed  the mutual legal assistance treaty on criminal matters, agreement on transfer of sentenced persons and agreement on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

It was after signing of this agreement during Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina's visit, that Dhaka facilitated the arrest of several of the top ULFA and NDFB leaders, who were operating out of the country.

Sources said India has now accorded top priority to signing of the Treaty with Myanmar, where militant outfits of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have set up camps. India and Myanmar shares 1,650 km border considered very porous.(AT)

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