SHILLONG: ULFA (pro-talks) leader Anup Chetia on Tuesday said the outfit’s peace talks with the Centre were currently stalled and may resume only after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill imbroglio was resolved.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, here, Chetia said he hoped for something “positive” after the CAB stalemate ended.
According to him, the pro-talks group is not taking part in any criminal and violent activities and said ULFA (Independent) is a separate organisation.
Asked if Ulfa (Independent) leader Paresh Barua would join the peace process, Chetia said, “It all depends on the people of Assam and the government of India, but Barua has a separate organisation and they will decide what they will do in the future.”
“We have appealed several times, but the ULFA leader is not mentally prepared to come for negotiations; the government of India should take the initiative to bring him to the peace process,” he said. Chetia observed that the lingering Naga peace process since 1997 with no solution must have deterred Barua from coming to the negotiation table.
