ULFA leaders demand Anup Chetia’s inclusion in the peace process

The pro-talk faction of the Assamese separatist organisation, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), had told the Indian government there would be no fruitful talks without its senior leader Anup Chetia taking part.

New Delhi Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 Nov 2015, 04:36 PM
Updated : 24 Nov 2015, 04:36 PM

Bangladesh had handed over Golap Barua alias Anup Chetia to India on Nov 11 after keeping him imprisoned for 18 years.

“We thanked the Assam government and the Centre for bringing back Anup Chetia from Bangladesh. We have demanded his inclusion in the peace talks.

“We did not resume our talks today as our general secretary (Chetia) was not present,” said pro-talk leader Sashadhar Choudhury.

Chetia’s extradition from Bangladesh was one of the main demands of the pro-talks ULFA leaders participating in the peace process with the government since 2010.

“The government has promised that our demand of Chetia’s inclusion will be met soon…our next talk with the government is in December,” said Choudhury.

Sources in the government said Chetia may join the pro-talk ULFA faction in the next round of discussions.

But Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijuju said Chetia’s interrogation was still on.

“Investigating agencies are doing their work. His joining in the talks will be decided only after the investigation is over,” said Rijiju.

He said the peace process involved several organisations. “ULFA is also a part of it.”

On Monday, a court in Assam placed Chetia in 14 days’ judicial remand.

Tuesday’s negotiations were held between the representatives of the Assam government and Aurobindo Rajhkhowa faction of ULFA under the chairmanship of India’s Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.

The meeting reviewed the progress of the talks so far.

Officials present in the meeting told bdnews24.com Mehrish suggested the ULFA leaders request for Chetia’s inclusion in the talks be examined.

Chetia is a founder member of the ULFA, established in 1979. The organisation had unleashed terror in Assam for two decades.

All the leaders of the pro-talk faction had been earlier arrested by Bangladesh’s law enforcing agencies from different places in Dhaka and handed over to India.