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ULFA may include new points in demand charter

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Jan 16 - The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is planning to include a few additional points in its charter of demands already submitted to the Government of India. This was disclosed by the general secretary of the outfit, Anup Chetia.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Chetia, who was brought back to Assam recently from the protective custody of Bangladesh, said that he would participate in the next round of talks between the outfit and the Government of India. However, the dates for the next round of talks are yet to be announced.

Chetia expressed the hope that the Government of India would be sincere in talks and that is why he has decided to participate in the peace process. He said a meeting of the ULFA was held in Jagiroad on January 9 where the progress of the peace process was discussed.

He said that as the people of the State have raised a few questions on the charter of demands submitted to the Government by the ULFA, a few additional points may be added.

However, he said that as a charter of demands has already been submitted to the Government, �we will have to request the Government to allow us to add the new points in the charter of demands.� The issue will soon be discussed with the Centre�s interlocutor for talks, PC Haldar.

The ULFA general secretary said that after his return to the State, he visited different districts of the State and spoke to cross sections of people. Most people are of the view that there should be a respectable solution to protect the interests of Assam and its indigenous people. There were hurdles in the way of implementation of the Assam Accord and the people want that such hurdles should not come in the way of implementation of any accord signed between the Government and the ULFA, said Chetia.

Chetia said he would not ask the ULFA (I) to come for talks, as it is now a separate

organization. The Central and State Governments had requested the ULFA(I) to come for talks and it is now up to the leaders of that organization to decide whether to join the peace process or not, he said.

The ULFA general secretary further stated that after his release on bail, he has been visiting the designated camps of the cadres of the outfit and their morale is very high.

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