From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: The pro-talks ULFA faction led by ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa on Tuesday declared ceasefire with the government several months after the peace process was initiated. The declaration of truce reflects the advancement in the process aimed at putting an end to decades of bloody conflict in Assam.
“Respecting the desire of the people of Assam for a peaceful solution of the ongoing conflict, the General Council has decided to begin political negotiations with the Government of India and has empowered the Chairman of ULFA to declare ceasefire,” Rajkhowa said in a press release to the media.
The ULFA group’s spokesperson Mrinal Hazarika was of the view that the Centre would soon give its response to the ceasefire declaration which is expected to culminate in a formal agreement of truce between the two sides.
An informal ceasefire was on ever since the pro-talks faction agreed to sit for talks with the government. Operations by security forces has remained suspended and ULFA cadres supporting the move have been stationed at a place near Nalbari.
The proposal for a formal ceasefire similar to the agreements arrived at with other militant outfits in the region was mooted by the government soon after the first round of talks was held last March. However thorny issues like allowance and deposition of arms delayed the process since both sides had divergent opinions.
Hazarika said that the modalities of the ceasefire would be chalked out in consultation with the government. Usually, as seen with other insurgent groups, the agreement is for six months which is renewed periodically.
Meanwhile, informed sources said that ULFA has decided to usher in “cosmetic changes” to the charter of demands prepared by the Sanmilito Jatiyo Abhibartan (SJA), a nine member group of civil society leaders and intellectuals in the state.
After the changes are made, the charter will be placed before the government. The first round of talks on the charter of demands is expected towards the end of this month.
Insurgent leader killed: The ‘commander-in-chief’ of tribal insurgent outfit Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KLPT) was shot dead in an encounter with a joint team of police and Army in Karbi Anglong hill district of Assam early Tuesday morning.
A five-member group of KPLT came face-to-face with the security forces at Deothar in Bokajan subdivision and fired at them, police said.
After heavy exchange of fire, the commander-in-chief of the outfit, Apang Ingti, was shot dead while another cadre identified as Soban was injured and apprehended, the police said.
The remaining three ultras fled away, they said, adding that an AK-47 and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from the militants. Ingti was wanted in connection with killings, kidnappings and extortion in the district.
The KPLT is the breakaway group of militant outfit Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) formed after it declared unilateral ceasefire on February 10 last year.