Guwahati: The pro-talks faction of the ULFA, which has been waiting for talks with Central government regarding their demands, recently held talks with the Central government led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa.
On Friday the peace talk held between pro-talk groups and Centre’s representatives in an effort to find an amicable solution to the decades-old insurgency problem in Assam.
A delegation of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), comprising Rajkhowa, ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia, leaders Raju Baruah and Sasha Choudhury, held the dialogue with senior officers of the Union home ministry and the Intelligence Bureau.
Sources said the talks were held for two consecutive days on Thursday and Friday where all the demands of ULFA were discussed. The negotiation were on the 12-point charter of demands which the group had submitted to the Centre’s interlocutor long ago.
The main issues which were discussed during the meeting are- political safeguard to the indigenous people and control on economies resources of Assam.
Among other issues, ULFA’s charter of demands include recognition of six communities in Assam — Moran, Muttock, Tai-Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi, Sootea and Tea Tribes as Scheduled Tribes (ST).
The Rajkhowa faction joined peace talks with the government on September 3, 2011 after an agreement for Suspension of Operations was signed among the ULFA, central and state governments.
The ULFA was formed in 1979 with the demand for a ‘sovereign Assam’.
On the other hand, the Assam government led by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been trying utmost posible to bring back ULFA-I commander-in chief Paresh Baruah into the mainstream.
Sources said peace talks would not be possible without Paresh Baruah.
The Central government has been taking all possible measures to stabilize peace in Assam. Assam, which has been infested by insurgency has slowly returning to peace.