ULFA leaders seek blessings for talks with Centre at Kumbh

Self-styled Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) Raju Baruah and the outfit's Foreign Secretary Shashidhar Chaudhary yesterday took the dip in the Sangam along with religious leader Swami Adhokshananda.

The two leaders said their visit to the Kumbh Mela was aimed at invoking "divine blessing for the peace talks and for expediting its success".

They said once the Government accepted their demands, "including stoppage of foreign infiltration, a settlement within the framework of Indian Constitution would be possible" and their cadres "would come out to live in peace".

Swami Adhokshanand said that he had been making efforts to bring about "peace between Government and various separatist outfits, including the ULFA".