Guwahati: The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Ranjan Daimary) faction has demanded that its leaders and cadres be released from jail to carry forward the Bodo peace process ahead of Tuesday`s talks.
"To carry forward the political dialogue formally with dignity and honour we call upon the Government of India to free our leaders and cadres from jail", said NDFB (RD) information and publicity wing assistant secretary B Samijing in an e-mail to the media here on Friday. "The talks held in captivity would tantamount to imposition and will be devoid of a free and fair environment. We believe that mutual respect and understanding will help find an amicable solution. Therefore, it is imperative to give a fair deal to the talk", the e-mail said.
"The ball is now in the government?s court. We hope that the government will show sincerity in resolving the conflict and fulfilling the aspirations of the Bodo and other indigenous people", the statement said.
"We welcome the beginning of the talks between our leaders and the government interlocutor on Tuesday. We are optimistic that the talks will proceed in the right direction to a logical conclusion. The NDFB rallies around our leaders in carrying forward the peace process and appeal to all sections of people to support the process for a permanent solution", the insurgent outfit said. The central government appointed interlocutor P C Haldar had met NDFB (RD) chairman Ranjan Daimary in the Guwahati Central Jail on Tuesday as per the Centre`s directive to the Assam home department to start the peace parleys with the Ranjan Daimary faction.
The meeting was a closed-door one with details not divulged to the media though the duo is said to have also discussed the possibility of holding negotiations to resolve the Bodo issue.
Haldar also welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Daimary-led NDFB. PTI