Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday said the Centre would take a decision of further extension of the ceasefire agreement with the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), a Bodo tribe militant group in Assam within some days.
The truce with the outfit, which has been on since October 2005, had expired on December 31 last, and the representatives of the outfit were in New Delhi to discuss with the Home Ministry officials regarding extension of the truce.
Alleged involvement of a section of the NDFB cadres in the October 30 serial blasts in Assam besides other charges of ceasefire ground rules violation against it have thrown spanner in extension of the truce with the outfit which has recently split into two factions -- pro peace talks and anti-peace talks groups. Some of the cadres of the outfit were arrested in connection with the serial blasts that killed over 90 persons and injured over 400 across Assam.
"Representatives of the NDFB are in New Delhi for extension of ceasefire. Ground rules of suspension of operation (SOO) must be adhered to letter and spirit by them. They have made a positive statement in New Delhi today. A decision on the ceasefire will be taken parleys that may last two more days or so," Chidambaram said.
The NDFB recently replaced its fugitive chairman Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla with its vive-president Dhiren Bodo who on assuming charge announced NDFB's decision to drop the demand for sovereignty and participate in next general election in the country.
In response, the sacked chairman D R Nabla declined to the decision of the newly-elected chairman of the outfit and vowed to continue struggle for a sovereign land for Bodo tribe. The NDFB then expelled Nabla from the organization thereby cementing a vertical split in it.
Chidambaram while interacting with media also said that the Centre would study carefully the latest announcement by the pro-talks faction of the banned ULFA to drop the demand for sovereignty of Assam before taking a decision to hold dialogue with the faction or not.