NEW DELHI, Dec 5 � The DHD (J) and the Centre is close to sealing a deal on the lines of the UPDS Accord, even as the Dimasa militant group called for withdrawal of criminal cases pending against its members.
A crucial round of dialogue with the once dreaded �Black Widow� group ended on a positive note here today, with Centre planning to sign a formal accord soon.
Official sources said that the pact with the Jewel Garlosa faction was almost final and is similar to the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed recently with the UPDS. The offer is to constitute of territorial council.
The DHD delegation included Garlosa and Niranjan Hojai, besides another senior leader, while the Home Ministry officials included Joint Secretary (North-east), Shambhu Singh and interlocutor PC Haldar. Assam Government officials, who took part in the discussion, included Home Secretary Jishnu Baruah and Addl IGP Khagen Sharma.
Sources said that the tripartite talks on Monday focused on the demand of the militant leaders for withdrawal of criminal cases pending against them. The Centre has rejected the demand and referred the matter to the State Government for resolution, said sources. The Government of Assam would now have to take a call on the demand for withdrawal of cases. Several of the DHD(J) leaders including Garlosa and Niranjan Hojai face serious criminal charges of extortion, kidnapping and money laundering.
However, signing of the Accord with the DHD(N) faction might take some time, as dialogue with the rival faction led by Dilip Nunisa is deadlocked over shape and size of the proposed council. While the Centre is willing to offer territorial council, the demand is for creation of a separate State of Dimaraji.
The DHD(N) faction is not willing to settle for anything less than an autonomous district with a redrawn geographical area, which has been opposed by Government of Assam.
