NEW DELHI :The home ministry has started the process of evolving a set of guidelines as a first step towards seeking extradition of several hardcore Punjab, Kashmir and Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) militants following the recent treaty with the United Kingdom,
The guidelines will be circulated among the state police forces seeking extradition of those involved in terrorist and militant activity in the respective states and had subsequently managed to sneak out of the country.
Home ministry sources said a large number of Punjab and Kashmir militants had managed to escape to United Kingdom during the last three years following intensive police pressure. These militants were now reported to be supported organized terrorist and militant groups active in different parts of the country.
The extradition treaty itself was the result of continuing demand from various law enforcement agencies which had impressed upon the government the necessity of such a treaty in order to curb terrorism in the trouble torn states.
Home ministry officials said the guidelines would help the state police forces to seek extradition of only those against whom serious cases were pending and there was sufficient evidence of their involvement in heinous crime against the state.
sing extradition of any “Tom, Dick and Harry. The guidelines would also prevent police forces and law enforcement agencies from “acting in vengeance.”
The extradition guidelines were also required so that the clauses of the treaty were not misused, home ministry officials said.
Meanwhile, the Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir Police have already started preparing a list of those against whom they would like to have extradition proceedings started. The proceedings could take anything between three to six months. The lists would be handed over to the home ministry after the guidelines are finalized.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 16, 1992
