ULFA Chief Rajkhowa released from jail

Guwahati: United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa walked free from jail, his release will pave the way for talks between the Government and top ULFA cadres.

Rajkhowa, immediately after walking out of jail, has given a clear indication of entering politics while addressing a rally at Sipajhar.

"There is no question of banning ULFA. We hope there will be some positive response," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Rajkhowa was on Thursday granted bail by a TADA court in Guwahati to facilitate peace talks in Assam.

But before the peace talks the ULFA chief wants his fellow cadres to be released first.

"Anup Chetiya, who is in a Dhaka jail, is yet to be released. I will appeal for the release of Chitrabhan Hazarika and Sasha Choudury, who are in a Guwahati jail. We will form a central committee and then carry the peace process forward," said Rajkhowa.

The TADA court released Arabinda Rajkhowa after the Assam government did not oppose his bail application.

ULFA's general secretary Chitraban Hazarika and foreign secretary Sasha Chaudhury are also expected to get bail soon. Rajkhowa has been granted bail just ahead of proposed peace talks with ULFA.

Former Intelligence Bureau chief PC Haldar and peace interlocutor PC Haldar told CNN-IBN that peace talks are likely to begin soon.

"Talks should begin in two-three weeks time. All hurdles have been eliminated and it's time for dialogue," said Haldar.

The former IB chief met Rajkhowa for nearly an hour December 17 at the Guwahati Central Jail and worked out the modalities for the talks

Rajkhowa along with ULFA deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah was captured in Bangladesh and handed over to India earlier this year. He is the sixth top ULFA leaders to be released on bail.

ULFA's vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, Raju Baruah, political adviser Bhimakanta Burahgohain, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and Ramu Mech has already been released on bail.

However, ULFA's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah remains absconding and is opposed to any peace talks. Intelligence reports claims that Baruah has left Bangaldesh.

In 1991, a four-member ULFA delegation led by its general secretary Anup Chetia and Arabinda Rajkhowa had met then prime minister late PV Narashima Rao and held informal talks.

During the talks, Rajkhowa promised to bring top leaders of the outfit, including Paresh Baruah, for negotiation with the government and got a safe passage. But they never returned for talks.

The arrested ULFA leader now wants to come to the political mainstream. Even the Congress in Assam is open for a role reversal for ULFA leadership.