The home ministry has started preparation for the next round of talks with pro-talk Ulfa at the home secretary level on March 7 in New Delhi.
Disclosing that rehabilitation of pro-talk Ulfa cadres may top the agenda, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that peace-interlocutor and former Intelligence Bureau director P.C. Haldar has already started consultation with the pro-talk leaders to set the agenda of the meeting with home secretary R.K. Singh this week.
Pointing out that home ministry may also take up the issue of pro-talk Ulfa leaders involving in extortion and other anti-social activities in the state, security sources said that issue of rehabilitating the cadres besides making them self-reliant economically would also come up for discussion. The Ulfa delegation comprising its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa, “vice chairman” Pradip Gogoi, “deputy-commander-in-chief” Raju Baruah, ‘foreign secretary’ Sasadhar Choudhury, “finance secretary” Chitrabon Hazarika, and “publicity secretary” Mithinga Daimary is expected to leave for New Delhi in a day or two, security sources said, adding further that the representatives of the state government has also been invited.
Informing that the Ulfa delegation has also sought an appointment with union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde for their first meeting, security sources, however, clarified that in view of the parliament in session, the ministry has not fixed up any official meeting of pro-talk Ulfa leaders with the home minister so far. Security sources said that some of the issues of the charter of demand prepared by pro-talk Ulfa leaders may also come up for discussion. Apart from their demand of updating the National Register of Citizenship, security sources said that pro-talk Ulfa leaders are also insisting on ST status for some of the communities of the state.
The pro-talk Ulfa had submitted a charter demands proposing constitutional amendments to give Assam greater control over its natural resources, revenue generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced development. (EOM)