Ulfa, govt peace talks on 29 June

New Delhi: To give fresh impetus to the ongoing peace process, the Centre will hold dialogue with the Ulfa on 29 June and discuss the group’s demands to find a lasting solution to the three-decade-old insurgency in Assam. Union Home Secretary RK Singh will hold talks with the Ulfa delegation, led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, and discuss on ‘charter of demands’ as part of the government’s efforts to carry forward the dialogue process. Observance of ground rules for ceasefire signed by both sides, surrender of arms and ammunition and total halt of operations by security forces against the pro-talk faction are some of the other issues which are expected to be discussed in the meeting, home ministry sources said. Both sides will discuss various aspects of the group’s ‘charter of demands’ which sought amendment in the Constitution for finding “meaningful” ways to protect the rights and identity of the indigenous people of Assam. Representatives of the Assam government and Centre’s pointsman for Ulfa talks PC Halder will also participate in in the meeting. The Ulfa team will also call on Home Minister P Chidambaram. Among other demands of the group include discussion on grounds for “Ulfa’s struggle and their genuineness”, status report on missing Ulfa leaders and cadres numbering around 50 including those missing since 2005 when Bhutan government had conducted offensives, and other socio-economic issues. The Ulfa has entered into formal peace talks with the government after a 32-year-old violent insurgency movement. On 3 September 2011, the group signed the Suspension of Operation pact with the government.[caption id=“attachment_352950” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Ulfa leaders. PTI”]  [/caption] Rajkhowa led an eight-member team during introductory talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram in February 2011. UlfaA’s elusive ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah is still opposed to any dialogue with the government till ‘sovereignty’ issue is not on the table. The last such meeting was held in New Delhi on 9 April. PTI