GUWAHATI: ULFA ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowaon Friday said the next round of peace talks with the Centre will be held towards the end of the current month.
”The next round of talks will be held within this month at New Delhi,” Rajkhowa told reporters here.
He said the talks will be based on the charter of demands that has been submitted to the government earlier.
The rebel leader added that the discussions will be on broader issues and not specific demands.
”We will negotiate on behalf of the people of the state and present their aspirations,” he said.
The foreigners’ issues, right over resources and safeguarding territorial integrity are likely to figure in the talks.
Rajkhowa said consultations within its ranks will be held prior to the talks so that the outfit’s stand on the issues that are discussed is clear.
On ULFA ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Barua staying out of the peace process, he maintained that Barua has not opposed the ongoing peace talks himself.
The hardliner faction of the outfit, in an emailed statement on Friday, asked Rajkhowa to clarify on what issues his team will be negotiating with the government.
The email, dispatched by ‘publicity wing’ in-charge Arunudoy Dohotia, said any negotiation that did not include the ‘core issue of sovereignty’ will not be accepted by it.
Peace consultations with the pro-talks faction of the ULFA, led by Rajkhowa, have started since the beginning of the year and both the outfit and the government are working for a speedy resolution of all issues.
However, the Paresh Barua-led faction is yet to extend its support to the peace process. (UNI)