Ulfa chairman Rajkhowa released on bail

The United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) Chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, today walked free from jail on bail and declared his readiness for an “unconditional” peace dialogue with the Assam government.

“We are committed to peace in Assam and take the peace process forward. We are ready for unconditional peace talks,” the 54-year-old Ulfa leader told his supporters outside the Gauhati Central Jail, where he was lodged for over a year. He was released two days after a designated TADA court ordered his release on bail. Rajkhowa asked Ulfa cadres not to create divisions in the ranks and appealed to people not to be “restless” over the issue of peace talks.

He, however, appealed for the release of Ulfa central council members Sasha Choudhury and Chitraban Hazarika to enable them to participate in a meeting to decide on the peace talks. He urged the authorities to take necessary measures to facilitate Ulfa General Secretary Anup Chetia, now in a Bangladesh jail, to participate in the Ulfa Council meeting.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the ban on Ulfa could be lifted, if necessary. “The majority of Ulfa leaders have come forward for peace talks. Only one section has still remained opposed to talks and is still indulging in violence.” Rajkhowa was received at the jail premises by his elder brother.