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ULFA demands inclusion of Chetia in peace talks

Last Updated 24 November 2015, 19:16 IST

 Pro-talks ULFA leaders on Tuesday demanded the inclusion of Anup Chetia, one of the ULFA founding members and recently deported from Bangladesh, in the ongoing Assam peace process.

The demand was made by a ULFA delegation led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of ULFA’s pro-talks faction, when he met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi here to review the progress of the negotiations.

“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. Otherwise, the peace process would remain inconclusive,” Rajkhowa told reporters.

An official statement said ULFA leaders requested to associate Chetia in the ongoing peace process as it appreciated the efforts made by the government for his repatriation from Bangladesh.

 “The Union home secretary suggested to the government of India's Representative (P C Haldar) to examine the request of ULFA leaders,” the statement said.

“Discussions were cordial and it was agreed to meet again as soon as mutually convenient to move the peace process forward,” the statement added.

The acknowledgement of the demand in an official statement could be seen as government’s inclination to positively consider the demand, sources said. However, they said, a decision would be taken only after careful deliberation. Currently, Chetia is in police custody in Assam.

If the government decides to accept the demand, Chetia could be granted bail so that he join the peace process. The pro-talks faction in the ULFA started talks in 2011 after Rajkhowa, who was arrested in 2009, was granted bail in 2011. The government had then did not oppose his bail.

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.

The NDA government is keen to sign an accord with the ULFA ahead of the Assam Assembly elections in the first half of next year.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the Centre is expecting a breakthrough in the ongoing talks with the ULFA soon. “The government has been talking to several groups in the North-East. The ULFA is one of them. We hope that a solution could be found soon,” he said.

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(Published 24 November 2015, 19:16 IST)

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