The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has expressed doubts over ‘sincerity’ of the Centre towards the peace talks with it.
The pro-talks ULFA has said that there have been no talks between the Centre and the group over the last two years.
According to a report by news agency PTI, the pro-talks ULFA group has claimed that “not much progress” has been made, in regards to the peace parleys, since the Narendra Modi led BJP government came to power in the Centre.
The group said that negotiations between it and the Centre had reached final stages during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure.
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“The last round of talks with the government was held in January 2020. The term of the government interlocutor had ended in March that year. After that, there has been no contact with us. Still, we are waiting with hope that our issues will be addressed and resolved by the government,” former ULFA general secretary and pro-talks faction leader Anup Chetia told PTI.
The pro-talks ULFA also reportedly said that ULFA-I chief Paresh Barua is unlikely to come forward for negotiations until talks with the pro-talks ULFA faction is completed.
This allegation of the pro-talks ULFA came just a day after Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that efforts are underway to bring Paresh Baruah to the negotiating table.
Sarma said that the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA-Independent has shown keen interest in peace talks.
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“Sovereignty demand of the ULFA-I is the only stumbling block in the peace talks between the government and the ULFA-I,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
He added: “I dare to say that it is the beginning of the end. We are hopeful of a peaceful settlement with the ULFA-I.”