Hope floats for Bleach post Indo-UK agreement

India today signed an agreement with Britain for quicker return of Indian immigration offenders. In return, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advan...

India today signed an agreement with Britain for quicker return of Indian immigration offenders. In return, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani offered to ‘‘actively consider’’ the release of British pilot Peter Bleach jailed for the Purulia armsdrop in 1995. The two countries also decided to join forces to counter terrorism and share intelligence.

Bleach, lodged in Alipore Presidency Jail in Kolkata, reacted with ‘‘cautious optimism’’ to the assurance from the Centre, said a British Deputy High Commission official in Kolkata who met Bleach with the news. ‘‘Bleach looked hopeful,’’ he said.

Earlier reports of a release have proved little more than speculation. Bleach has been backed by the British Government in urging the Indian government for his release on grounds of ‘‘equality of justice’’. Five Latvians, charged under the same sections applied to Bleach, were released by a Presidential clemency, leaving the Briton alone in jail custody in the case.

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Bleach was suffering from TB which is another reason he needs special treatment, the official said.

‘‘I am very, very pleased. This would improve my reputation back home as I am known for sending and keeping people in prison … I am very pleased that the minister is prepared to let one out,’’ British Home Minister David Blunkett said.

He revealed the two sides had also agreed to set up an institutional framework for counter-terrorism and intelligence-sharing.

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