Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Guwahati, October 21 2010:
Ahead of Centre's possible talks with banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in December, retired Inteligence Bureau (IB) chief and interlocutor in Ulfa talks PC Haldar held a closed-door meeting with jailed leaders of the outfit in Guwahati on Thursday.
Official sources said Haldar, who arrived here on a two-day visit, held talks primarily on the ceasefire ground rules.
The meeting was held at the Central Jail here.
Soon after it, Asom Jatiyo Abhibarton chief convener Dr Hiren Gohain held a separate meeting with the Ulfa leadership.
What however transpired at the meeting remains to be known.
With Ulfa military chief Paresh Barua still remaining elusive, sources said the Centre decided to go ahead with the talks.
As part of this, they said, the meeting discussed at length issues pertaining to ground rules.
Later, Dr Gohain told the media that the build-up of the talks appeared to be positive.
He said efforts were being made for early commencement of the talks.
In view of the talks, it may be mentioned; Haldar is regularly visiting the Assam capital and meeting the Ulfa leadership besides senior officials of the Assam Police and Assam's Home Department.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had on Tuesday indicated that the talks would be held in December.
"We want the talk process to be initiated and it should be started by December," chief minister Tarun Gogoi had said.
He had also said that Ulfa leaders in peace would also be involved in the process of negotiation.