NEW DELHI, June 23 ��The Central Government on Thursday decided to extend the ceasefire with outlawed NDFB (P) and DHD (N) factions for another six months following separate discussions with the rebel leaders.
In a back-to-back discussion, first with NDFB (P) delegation led by Govinda Basumatary, a decision was taken to further extend the ceasefire that expires on June 30. The Bodo militant outfit was represented by M Gerema, S Sanjarang, B. Sudem and B Detsung, among others.
The Home Ministry delegation was led by Joint Secretary, Sambhu Singh, besides officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and representatives of Government of Assam that included State Home Commissioner, Jishnu Barua.
The NDFB (P) general secretary later told waiting newsmen that today�s meeting was convened to discuss only extension of the ceasefire. The ceasefire has been extended for another six months, he added.
The two sides are currently engaged in political dialogue. The last round was held last week in Guwahati with the Centre�s interlocutor, P C Haldar.
In October 2004, the NDFB had announced a six-month long unilateral ceasefire that was further extended to April 15, 2005. The outfit later split into two on the issue of holding dialogue with the Centre. The other faction is led by Ranjan Daimary currently languishing in prison.
Meanwhile, DHD (N) during their discussion with the Home Ministry officials insisted on resolution of their problem within a fixed time-frame, though substantive issues regarding their demands did not figure during the discussion.
The DHD (N) faction first entered into a ceasefire with the Centre in 2003. The other faction called the Black Widow Group led by Jewel Garlossa also has a ceasefire pact with the government.
