Pradip Gogoi calls for peace talks with Central Government

JORHAT - Pradip Gogoi, Vice Chairman of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has called for peace talks with the Central Government to resolve the insurgency in Assam.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Gogoi said: “The Central Government and the Central Committee of the ULFA should come together at the negotiation table and, those ULFA leaders who are presently under detention, too, should be allowed to participate in the negotiations.

“Leaders of ULFA, those who are outside the country and also those who are in prison, should be allowed to sit at the negotiation table without any condition. No leaders of our organisation are against the peace talks. We also want to resolve the issues at the earliest. This is the long cherish dream and hope of the people of this land. The government has also shown positive response, citing the recent released of some leaders from jail,” he added.

Gogoi, who was arrested during an operation in Kolkata in 1982, was released on bail on March 4.

On February 26, ULFA’s Publicity Secretary Mithinga Daimary was also released.ogoi’s and Daimary’s release is expected to set the dialogue ball rolling.

Top ULFA leaders, including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, his deputy Raju Baruah and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, are lodged in the Guwahati Central Jail.

Still some of ULFA leaders, including Paresh Barua, are subtle at the moment and the Centre had indicated of proceeding with talks without them. (ANI)