The Assam government on Wednesday welcomed the declaration of ceasefire by the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led pro-talk faction of ULFA and said it would take steps to facilitate peace talks.
“The Assam government welcomes ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa’s initiative to come forward for peace talks with the government and will take all steps to facilitate the peace talks,” the state government said in a statement.
The government appealed to the ULFA faction led by Paresh Barua, to come forward for talks, but said it would not wait indefinitely.
It said the government was “committed to keeping its doors open for talks with this group if it shuns the path of violence, but it will not wait indefinitely.”
Asserting that it was always ready for talks with any organisation on all outstanding issues in a peaceful manner, the government appealed to the NDFB (Ranjan Daimary faction) and militant Adivasi organisations to come forward for dialogue.
The government has already initiated talks with NDFB (Progressive), Adivasi Cobra and Birsa Commando Force (BCF).
