In Delhi, the ULFA delegation for the first time made it clear that its original demand for secession had given way to a demand for separation only. Sovereignty did not mean separation from India, it said. The stage has been set for talks after three decades of struggle. The delegation however asked for some urgent political arrangement. A charter of demands was presented to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram. Sashadhar Chowdhury, a delegate wanted a change in the Constitution. Chidambaram said that laws were for the people and needed to be amended. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gagoi and the central interlocutor, P. C. Halder were present and welcomed the ULFA peace offer. The rebel body wants the government to admit that its struggle had a rationale. It also asks for a report on the fifty or so missing ULFA leaders. Chowdhury has played down the differences between their demands and those of the NDFB. On August 15, a formal accord to halt operations may be signed between the outfit and Shambhu Singh, Union Home Ministry Joint Secretary for the North East.
It is expected that by that time Anup Chetia, hiding in Bangladesh may be back and participate in the talks. Dhaka has indicated that the legal process has been started to hand over the ULFA General Secretary to India as a positive sign before Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh. ULFA also feels that Paresh Barua who is in Myanmar may also join the peace talks. The anti-peace talks faction may obstruct progress but the schedule of talks will be on course. The sooner the problem is solved, the better for Assam’s economic development and political stability.