Centre engaged in peace talks with the ULFA-I?
Special Representative
GUWAHATI, June 10 2021: Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his next visit to Assam scheduled for July this year is expected to make an announcement regarding possible peace talks with the banned militant group United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent).
Commenting of the on-going process to bring the ULFA (I) led by fugitive commander-in-chief, Paresh Barua to the negotiation, Assam Chief Minister and Home Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has commented that the efforts are on to facilitate dialogue with the militant group.
The CM informed that the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah during his next visit to Assam on July this year may be able to announce something concrete about holding dialogue with the ULFA-I.
Meanwhile, the banned outfit, ULFA-I is on a three-month-long self-declared ceasefire mode ‘to help the new government in Assam’ to settle down.
Such an unprecedented initiative from the outfit has raised hopes for peace talks with the outfit especially because of the praises heaped on the new Chief Minister of the state, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma by the ULFA-I leader Paresh Barua believed to be taking shelter in Myanmar.
The ULFA-I leader stated that it was indeed interested in engaging in sincere and meaningful dialogue with the Government of India. He said the ULFA-I was never averse to holding dialogue provided there is sincere response from the Government of India.
It may be mentioned that another faction of the ULFA led by Arabinda Rajkhowa is engaged in a peace process with the Government of India since 2011 following the crackdown on the outfit in Bangladesh during 2009-10.