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ULFA-govt peace talks tomorrow

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
To give fresh impetus to the ongoing peace process, the Centre will hold dialogue with the ULFA tomorrow and discuss the group's demands to find a lasting solution to the three-decade-old insurgency in Assam.

Union Home Secretary R K Singh will hold talks with the ULFA delegation, led by its 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa, and discuss on 'charter of demands' as part of the government's efforts to carry forward the dialogue process.

Both sides will discuss various aspects of the group's 'charter of demands' which seek amendment in the Constitution for finding "meaningful" ways to protect the rights and identity of the indigenous people of Assam, official sources said.
 

Representatives of the Assam government and Centre's pointsman for ULFA talks P C Halder will also participate in in the meeting. The ULFA team is also expected to call on Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Among other demands of the group include discussion on grounds for "ULFA's struggle and their genuineness", status report on missing ULFA leaders and cadres numbering around 50 including those missing since 2005 when Bhutan government had conducted offensives, and other socio-economic issues.

The ULFA has entered into formal peace talks with the government after a 32-year-old violent insurgency movement. On September 3, 2011, the group signed the Suspension of Operation pact with the government.

Rajkhowa led an eight-member team during introductory talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram in February, 2011.

ULFA's elusive 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah is still opposed to any dialogue with the government till 'sovereignty' issue is not on the table.

The last such meeting was held here in June 2012.

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First Published: Mar 06 2013 | 7:25 PM IST

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