NALBARI, Feb 1 � Finally, the general council meeting of the banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) concluded at a makeshift camp of Helacha in Nalbari district late last night. The general council meeting was attended by the representatives from the all four battalions of the outfit including 709, 109, 27 and 28 battalions besides the central executive body.
The general council meeting presided over by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa was attended by adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain, finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika, foreign secretary, Sasha Chaudhury, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, women wing chief Kaberi Kachari commander of 709 battalion Hira Sarania, commander of 109 battalion Gulit Das, second commander of 28 battalion Haren Phukan. The other leaders of the outfit who attended the general council meeting are Phanindra Medhi alias Lebu, Sarang Patowary alias Akash Thapa, Plaban Hazarika, Indrajit Medhi, Biju Deka, Mukul Pathak, Nirupam Barman, Runumi Chetia Phukan.
Highly-placed sources of the outfit said that all total 180 cadres of the outfit in Army fatigue took part in the general council meeting. While the cadres sat on the ground, the leaders were on the makeshift dais.
Sources said that the ULFA chief Arabinda Rajkhowa informed the general council members that the proposed talk between the outfit and the Union Government is in the right direction. Sources further added that senior leader like Mama wanted talks on the issue of sovereignty. However, most of the leaders favoured the peace talks. The general council meeting reportedly discussed the issue passed in the central executive body meeting. The resolutions adopted in the general council meeting are likely to be published in a press conference to be held on February 5 next.
The sources further stated that at the end of the general council meeting, the outfit also organised a cultural show at the makeshift camp. In the cultural programme, ULFA chief Arabinda Rajkhowa, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, Hira Sarania and Mani Brahma sung patriotic songs while Mithinga Daimary recited a poem to enthrall the cadres.
However, ULFA�s vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi was absent in the general council meet. Before the general council meeting, the ULFA flag was also hoisted by the chairman.
