Assam to unilaterally free jailed Ulfa leaders
The Assam government has started the process of releasing the jailed Ulfa leaders without any formal communication from the home ministry.
Disclosing that the entire process was aimed to pave the way for peace-talks, security sources, however, admitted that it was the unilateral decision of the state government.
Clarifying that the home ministry was not in favour of releasing the jailed Ulfa leaders in a hurry, security sources said that state government is not sure if all the jailed Ulfa leaders are genuinely committed for the peace-talks and will not flee after their release from the jail.
Fearing that such unilateral decision of the state government to release Ulfa leaders may also spoil the improving relationship of New Delhi with Dhaka, security sources said that Bangladesh agreed to drive out insurgent leaders from its territory only because they were identified as dreaded militant leaders of India but such release may force them to believe that they were taken for a ride.
The home ministry had also expressed its displeasure over the release of Ulfa's vice-president Pradip Gogoi and publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary.
Daimary was arrested and handed over to Indian Army by the Bhutan government in 2003.
Security agencies keeping a close watch over the developments said that pro-talk camp of Ulfa leaders have also refused to declare formal ceasefire before their release from the jail.
Pointing out that jailed Ulfa leaders did not come on their own, security sources said that home ministry is not happy over the way they are trying to dictate terms to secure their release from the jail.
The state has already started the process to release three top Ulfa leaders - political adviser of outfit Bhimkanta Buragohain, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah and cultural secretary Pranati Deka by not opposing their bail petitions, the state home department sources, however, said that state government may soon seek the approval of the home ministry on releasing the jailed Ulfa leaders to facilitate peace-talks.
Though New Delhi appointed interlocutor P.C. Haldar was also holding informal talks with jailed Ulfa leaders, including its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa, it was not know if he wanted the release of jailed Ulfa leaders at this stage.
In a related development, deputy commander-in chief of Ulfa Raju Baruah was also granted bail by the court after the Central Bureau of Investigation advocate decided to withdraw the objection in an IPS officer A.K. Singh murder case. The CBI counsels filed an application in the court saying that it was not against granting bail to Raju Baruah, but at the same time, the CBI suggested strict conditions to be imposed on the Ulfa leader while granting bail.
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