ULFA pro-talks faction unhappy with Centre’s draft

ULFA (Pro Talk) general secretary Anup Chetia informed that the ULFA pro-talk leadership reviewed the draft intensively.

FILE PHOTO (Used for representative purpose)

The leadership of the ULFA (Pro Talk) faction has expressed dissatisfaction about the peace pact draft that has been sent by the Centre. The ULFA Pro Talk faction is now saying that their main demand has not been incorporated in the draft. The draft was sent to the outfit sometime in April.

ULFA (Pro Talk) general secretary Anup Chetia informed that the ULFA pro-talk leadership reviewed the draft intensively.

Revealing as to what was missing from the draft, Chetia said, “This draft does not give any surety about the political and constitutional rights and safeguard of the indigenous tribes and communities of Assam. We appeal the Union government to consider this”.

The pro-talk ULFA leader said, “To establish the rights of the indigenous, we demanded that there be 88% reservation for elections at the village council level to the Parliamentary level. But this demand, which is one of our core demands is not mentioned in the draft sent by the Centre. We believe that reservation of seats is of utmost importance in order to protect the future existence of the indigenous people. The ULFA (pro-talks) clearly believes in this.”

However, the ULFA pro-talk faction’s general secretary maintained that the group will continue with the talks process.

Anup Chetia informed, “We have decided to continue with the discussions and we also appeal the Centre to continue the talks process with us.”

Chetia has appealed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and all other political parties of Assam to come together and insist on the Centre to accept the demands put forward by the ULFA pro-talk faction, which mainly pertains to the political and cultural safeguard of the indigenous people of the state.

Chetia however said that barring a particular demand, the Centre has conceded to all the other demands by the ULFA (Pro Talk) outfit.

Referring to this, he said, “We have difference regarding our core demand- which is our political demand. But, the rest such as, we sought land rights, there are lot of similarities to this and the Centre’s position in the draft, they have accepted. We had made certain demand about the Citizenship Act. That too they have accepted. There were other demands too, they have accepted.”

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