NEW DELHI, Jan 18 (PTI): To facilitate the ongoing peace process, the government has decided to extend the suspension of operations agreement with insurgent group NDFB (P) for six more months till June 30.
"It has been mutually agreed with National Democratic Front of Boroland-Progressive (NDFB-P) to extend suspension of operations (SoO) for a further period of six months upto June 30, 2012," a Home Ministry release said.
The SoO agreement between Central Government, Government of Assam and NDFB was signed first time on May 24, 2005 and is in operation since June 1, 2005.
In view of the involvement of some NDFB cadres in serial blasts in Assam, which took place on October 30, 2010, the pact was revised on January 6, 2009. This is now valid upto June 30, 2012.
NDFB, a militant outfit active in lower Assam, particularly in Bodo-dominated area, was indulging in violence, demanding sovereignty of Bodo area in Assam.
A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), headed by Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, had been constituted to review the implementation of Agreed Ground Rules.
Meanwhile, tripartite talks on the demands of NDFB are continuing. P C Haldar, a former Director of Intelligence Bureau, has been appointed as representative of the Government of India to negotiate with the outfit. The last tripartite meeting with the outfit was held on December 4, 2011 to finalise a Memorandum of Settlement.
