Major boost for ULFA-Govt peace move as Arabinda gets bail

The proposed ULFA-government talks gets a major boost when a TADA court in Guwahati has granted bail to the outfit's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa on Wednesday. Same procedure awaits finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika and foreign secretary Sashadhar Chaudhury. The duo are also expected to be granted bail in a day or two.

The bail for Rajkhowa was expected as the government refused to oppose the bail plea in the light of its decision to facilitate the release of the ULFA top guns on bail. The TADA court pronounced its final judgment on Wednesday two days after the hoe department submitted a fresh affidavit before the court raising no objection to the bail plea moved by the ULFA chairman.

The bail has virtually amd finally paved the way for holding talks between ULFA and the government much to provide the peace loving people a big respite. Process is on to ensure bail to Hazarika and Chaudhury. Rajkhoiwa is the sixth one ULFA top leaders to have procured bail. Others include political adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, vice president Pradeep Gogoi, central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, deputy commander in chief Raju Baruah top leader Ramu Mech. Assam Chief Minister has been repeatedly been announcing that his governmnent wants to sit in talks with ULFA in January.

Significantly, ULFA is understood to have been preparing to hold its general session in the first firthnight of January to formally decide on the talks with the government. General secretary Anup Chetia is expected to be extradited along with recently arrested top guns Antu Chaowdang, Jibon Moran by the Bangladesh government.

On the other hand, two other units of No 28 battalion have already announced their supports to the proposed peace talks. This peace move will be a major poll plank for ruling Congress although the party leaders are yet to make any formal comment.

Meanwhile, several parties, organizations and individulas are heaving a sigh of relief and hope that it will help both government and ULFA hold talks in the new year.