ULFA submits charter of demands before Centre

ULFA and the Centre are all set to hold the first round of formal talks on Wednesday next. The count down began when the banned outfit has submitted their charter of demands before the Union home minister on Friday.

Led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, the ULFA delegation met Chidambaram at his North Block-based office at around 12 noon in presence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and peace interlocutor P C Haldar. According to sources, ULFA has dropped sovereignty and independence demands. They are set to press for more autonomy, special status for Assam and other safeguards for the people there under the Constitution.

Talking to reporters, chief minister Gogoi called it a significant step in bringing peace in Assam and said both state and central governments were sincere about finding a solution for permanent peace in the restive state.

It is learnt that Rajkhowa and others are understood to have asked the government to bring back its Anup Chetia, who is in detention in Bangladesh since 1997, to facilitate his participation in the peace talks.