NEW DELHI, May 15 � The pro-talk faction of ULFA is content with the initial response of the NDA government, with the Centre also sending across positive signals about fulfilling its prime demand of granting Scheduled Tribe status to the six communities.
The first round of interaction between the pro-talk faction of ULFA and NDA government was described as �positive�. A tripartite meeting, involving the representatives of the Government of Assam and ULFA, was held under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary LC Goyal to review the progress made in talks with ULFA.
The delegation also called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who assured them of the Centre�s firm committed to resolve their demands at the earliest. The delegation was also assured that the government is working on getting Anup Chetia released.
�The people would soon get some good news,� the delegation was assured.
The ULFA delegation was led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and included at least seven of its top leaders. Centre�s interlocutor PC Haldar, State Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla, DGP Khagen Sharma, Addl DGP Pallab Bhattacharya, State Commissioner and Secretary Home LS Changson, Special Secretary (Internal Security) MHA Ashok Prasad and Joint Secretary (North-east) Shambhu Singh were also present.
The ULFA delegation included vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, Raju Baruah, Shasha Choudhury, Chitraban Hazarika, Pranati Deka, Mithinga Daimary and Prabal Neog, among others.
An ULFA leader told this newspaper that the talks were held smoothly and all their major political demands were discussed. The ULFA pro-talk faction is demanding ST status for the six communities and reservation in the State Assembly on that basis, Upper House in the State Legislative Assembly and Panchayati Raj system up to village level.
ULFA representatives also called for decentralisation of powers from the State level to local bodies for empowering the local people and initiating democratic process at the grassroots level. The Union Home Secretary said that the government has attached highest priority to decentralisation of powers and is addressing the grievances of the people of the country, including Assam.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary told newsmen that though the State government has given its consent on according ST status to the six communities, the Government of India has to examine all aspects.
ULFA sources said that if the demand for ST status is fulfilled then it would mean reservation of at least 70 seats in the Assembly, besides eight reserved seats. Put together, at least 78 seats is expected to be reserved in the State Assembly, he said.
