The UlFA’s Rajkhowa faction on Tuesday urged the Centre to include recently deported rival UlFA leader Anup Chetia in the ongoing talks for peace process. After meeting the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to resume talks, Arvind Rajkhowa told media that without Chetia’s participation, the dialogue would remain inconclusive.
“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,” UlFA ‘president’ Rajkhowa told reporters here after a meeting with Home Secretary.
A Home Ministry spokesperson said the UlFA leaders appreciated the efforts made by the Government for repatriation of Chetia from Bangladesh to India. “The UlFA leaders requested to associate him (Chetia) in the ongoing peace process. The Union Home Secretary suggested to the Government of India’s representative to
examine the request of UlFA leaders,” he said.
The meeting, under the chairmanship of the Union Home Secretary, reviewed the progress made in the peace talks so far. Representatives of the Government of Assam also took part in it. “Discussions were cordial and it was agreed to meet again as soon as mutually convenient to move the peace process forward,” the spokesperson said. The interlocutor PC Haldar, Assam Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, MHA senior officials Ashok Prasad and Satyendra Garg were also present in the talks.
UlFA leader Shashadhar Choudhury said the next round of talks with the Central Government will be held in December in which Chetia is expected to take part. Chetia, who was arrested upon his deportation from Bangladesh about a fortnight ago, is currently in a jail in Guwahati.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the central Government is
expecting a breakthrough in the ongoing talks with the UlFA soon.”Government
has been talking to several groups in the Northeast. UlFA is one of them. We hope that a solution could be
found soon,” he said. UlFA hardliner Paresh Baruah is steadfastly opposed to any peace talks with the Government