ULFA demands guarding of Indo-Bangladesh border

NEW DELHI: Demanding for early completion of the peace process, a delegation of ULFA members today held talks with the Centre and also sought effective guarding of the Indo-Bangladesh border to check illegal infiltration.

During the tripartite meeting here among the Centre, officials of the Assam government and the pro-talk faction of ULFA led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, the group sought early completion of the peace process by considering their demands so that a final settlement can be reached, an official spokesman said in a release.

The meeting was chaired by Union Home Secretary LC Goyal in which Centre's representative for peace talks PC Haldar, Special Secretary (Internal Security) Ashok Prasad and Chief Secretary of Assam Jitesh Khosla were also present.

Goyal reviewed the progress made in talks with ULFA delegation and after detailed discussion, it was decided to pursue a few specific steps on some issues vigorously.

He said the Centre attaches "highest priority" for early completion of peace process with ULFA.

The ULFA leaders mentioned that since the issue of illegal migrants in Assam needs to be solved, updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC)-1951 should also be prioritised and sought additional measures for effective guarding of the Indo- Bangladesh border to check illegal infiltration.

The Union Home Secretary assured that all possible measures to control the illegal influx from across the border have been taken and NRC work will be completed in a time-bound manner, the spokesman said.

He said that measures have already been taken for effective border management along the International Border which have helped in curbing illegal infiltration from across the border.

ULFA representatives also called for decentralisation of powers from the state level to local bodies for empowering the local people and initiating democratic process at the grass- roots level so that genuine grievances of the people of Assam are addressed on priority.

The ULFA delegation later called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju.