Himanta Biswa Sarma says return of KLO chief to mainstream a big news

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it is big news that Jiban Singha Koch, the self-styled chief militant outfit Kamatapur Liberation Organisation or KLO has returned to mainstream. He said that he is in touch with ULFA leadership and is hopeful of resolving this issue within his tenure.

Singha is likely to join peace talks with the Centre. He along with nine-member of his group surrendered before security forces in the Longwa region in Mon district last Friday.

Sarma told media persons, “He has come, let him take rest for some time. Slowly he will start discussion with the government. This is not something where an announcement can be made ahead of January 26 or August 15.”


He said that efforts are on to bring prescribed militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) to talks. “Issues which we have with ULFA, I have told the people however despite that we are in touch with ULFA leadership if not directly than indirectly.”

Sarma said, “I am hopeful that within this term this issue gets resolved; however it does not solely depend on me.”

Sarma in his Independence Day speech last year stated sovereignty is non-negotiable and Assam will never leave India. Those who are still dreaming of "sovereignty" should return to the discussion table. “Sovereignty is non-negotiable and Assam will never leave India. "

ULFA-I has in the past one year twice extended the unilateral ceasefire. Restoration of Assam sovereignty is one of the core demands of ULFA-I.

Earlier the pro-talk faction of ULFA had submitted a charter of demand to the Centre. The peace talks between a faction of ULFA and Centre started in 2011.

ULFA General Secretary, Anup Chetia was extradited to India in November 2015 from Bangladesh. Later he joined the peace process.

KLO chief Jiban Singha formed the group in 1995. They are demanding a separate state with parts of Cooch Behar, Malda, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Jalpaiguri districts, as well as stretches of Assam.