Assam CM announces peace agreement with pro-talk ULFA by December end

Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Kumar Deka and Director General, National Investigation Agency (NIA) Dinkar Gupta, met Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma here on Friday.
The chiefs of both central agencies discussed security-related matters with the Chief Minister.

The NIA Director General also briefed the Chief Minister about the Rohingya infiltration in which Assam had registered a case with Tripura and the raids carried out in as many as 44 places across the North East Region.

The meeting took place at the Assam House, and it lasted for more than an hour.

Former Special Director, IB, AK Mishra, who is presently Advisor of North East Affairs, also met the Chief Minister.

Later, briefing the media persons at the Assam House premises, Chief Minister Sarma said that the Central and State Governments are pursuing talks with ULFA(I) seriously while final touches are being given to the peace agreement with the pro-talk ULFA faction which is likely to be signed this month or January next year.

The Chief Minister said that the peace agreement with the pro-talk ULFA group will incorporate political, economic and cultural safeguards as well as land rights.

Extending the olive branch to the ULFA(I) led by Paresh Baruah, the Chief Minister said violence would impede growth and development and it is in the greater interest of the state and its people, ULFA(I) must come to an amicable settlement once and for all.

Violence is futile and will push the clock of development back. It will vitiate the atmosphere at a time when Assam is on a roll with investments pouring into the state,” quipped the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister revealed that the bill banning polygamy will be placed on the floor of the Assam Assembly, which will commence from February 4.

The Chief Minister said that during his five-day visit to the national capital, he called on the President and Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister twice, the Union Finance Minister, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Union Minister for Coal and Mines and the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.

The Chief Minister said he requested the President of India to attend the 50th Karbi Youth Festival in January next year and the Prime Minister to inaugurate and to lay down foundation stones of a number of projects in February