Centre resumes peace talks with ULFA after 4 months

The top leadership of United Liberation Front of Asom on Monday held talks with the government and discussed various aspects of its 'charter of demands'.

During the 90-minute meeting, the ULFA delegation led by its 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa held discussions with Union Home Secretary R K Singh and other officials.

"It was a very constructive and fruitful discussion. I think we have achieved very good progress in the meeting," Singh told reporters.

Rajkhowa too echoed a similar sentiment, saying the dialogue was "very satisfactory".

"We discussed all issues concerning Assam's peace and development. We all agreed to carry forward the dialogue process," Rajkhowa told reporters after the talks, which was held after a gap of six months.

Asked about the issues which figured in the talks, the home secretary said the ULFA team raised issues like "safe guarding" the indigenous people of Assam, but a detailed discussion on it and issues like Centre-State relations would be taken up in the next round of dialogue.

Observance of ground rules, signed by both sides, surrender of arms and ammunition and total halt of operations by security forces against the pro-talk faction were some of the other issues which were discussed, sources said.

The meeting discussed various aspects of the group's 'charter of demands' which sought an amendment in the Constitution for finding "meaningful" ways to protect the rights and identity of the indigenous people of Assam.

The meeting, which was also attended by the representatives of the Assam government, also deliberated in detail on various aspects of the ground rules of the Suspension of Operations.

ULFA 'foreign secretary' Sashadhar Choudhury said "all contentious" issues were discussed in the talks.

He said they have asked the government to bring back ULFA 'general secretary' Anup Chetia, currently lodged in a Dhaka jail, from Bangladesh.

"A breakthrough on Chetia's return is expected soon," Choudhury said without elaborating.

In its 'charter of demands', the ULFA also demanded a change in rules and said a solution to their demands was not possible under the provisions of the existing Constitution.

Other demands of the group included discussions on "ULFA's struggle and their genuineness", status report on missing ULFA leaders and cadres and other socio-economic issues.

The ULFA has entered into formal peace talks with the government after a 32-year-old violent insurgent movement. On September 3, 2011, the group had signed the Suspension of Operation pact with the government.

Rajkhowa led an eight-member team during introductory talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram in February, 2011.

ULFA's elusive 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah is still opposed to any dialogue with the government till the 'sovereignty' issue is not on the table.

The last such meeting was held in Delhi on October 25.