Ahead of Assam polls, Centre holds peace talks with ULFA

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 24

In the wake of the Assam assembly polls next year, Centre has set in motion peace process with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) with Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi meeting the outfit leaders today.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa attended the meeting and urged the Centre to also associate Anup Chetia in the peace process. Chetia had recently been repatriated from Bangladesh.

Though the talks remained inconclusive today, an official release from the MHA said the government on its part indicated at the meeting that PC Haldar, the Representative for peace talks, would examine the request.

“There will be no political discussion without ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia’s participation in the talks. We have appealed to the government to ensure his early release from judicial custody so that he can join us,” said Rajkhowa, adding that the peace process “otherwise would remain inconclusive”.

According to a release issued by the MHA, the ULFA leaders appreciated the efforts made by the government for repatriation of Chetia from Bangladesh to India. “The ULFA leaders requested to associate him (Chetia) in the ongoing peace process. The Union Home Secretary suggested to the government representative to examine the request of ULFA leaders,” it added.

The meeting reviewed the progress made in the peace talks so far. Representatives of the Assam Government also took part in it. ULFA leader Shashadhar Choudhury said the next round of talks with the Centre would be held in December in which Chetia is expected to take part. Chetia, who was arrested upon his deportation from Bangladesh about a fortnight ago, is currently in a jail in Guwahati.