Govt pursuing talks with ULFA: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Central and State Governments are pursuing talks with ULFA(Independent) seriously while final touches are being given to the peace agreement with the pro-talk ULFA faction which is likely to be signed this month or January next year.

Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Kumar Deka and Director General, National Investigation Agency (NIA) Dinkar Gupta on Friday met Sarma in Guwahati.

The chiefs of both the Central agencies discussed security related matters with the Chief Minister. The NIA Director General also briefed the Chief Minister about the Rohingya infiltration in which Assam had registered a case with Tripura and the raids carried out in as many as 44 places across the Northeast Region.


The meeting took place at the Assam House, and it lasted for more than an hour.

Former Special Director, IB, AK Mishra, who is presently Advisor of North East Affairs, also met the Chief Minister.

Sarma said that the Central and State Governments are pursuing talks with ULFA(I) seriously while final touches are being given to the peace agreement with the pro-talk ULFA faction which is likely to be signed this month or January next year. The Chief Minister said that the peace agreement with the pro-talk ULFA group will incorporate political, economic, and cultural safeguards as well as land rights.

Extending the olive branch to the ULFA(I) led by Paresh Baruah, the Chief Minister said violence would impede growth and development and it is in the greater interest of the state and its people, ULFA(I) must come to an amicable settlement once and for all.

Violence is futile and will push the clock of development back. It will vitiate the atmosphere at a time when Assam is on a roll with investments pouring into the state," quipped the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister revealed that the bill banning polygamy will be placed on the floor of the Assam Assembly which will commence from February 4.

Earlier, the pro-talk faction of ULFA had submitted a charter of demands to the Centre. Peace talks between the two had started in 2011.