In what may be called a major breakthrough on insurgency front, the top commanders of outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland holed up in Burma and Bangladesh has given their consent in writing to join the peace-process which may also facilitate the release of its chief Ranjan Daimary on bail from judicial custody in Assam.
Disclosing that the commander of Bodoland army (the armed wing of NDFB) I.K. Songbijit, currently operating from Burma, and his deputy Onthao in Bangladesh have sent their consent to abide by the decision of its chief Ranjan Daimary on peace-talks, authoritative security sources in the home ministry told this newspaper that peace-talks with NDFB hardliners was delayed as the home ministry had doubt on NDFB commanders joining the peace-process. Security sources claimed that first round of talks between the home ministry and the NDFB hardliners may be held in April, but it would be decided only after the release of NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary from jail.
Pointing out that since the arrest of NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary and his subsequent handing over to India by Bangladesh, the self-style army commander of NDFB I.K. Songbijit had taken over the control, security sources said that there were reports of NDFB commanders opposing the idea of joining the peace-talks with the government. The reports of NDFB recruiting new cadres and procuring of arms by the outfit had delayed proposed release of NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary from judicial custody.