ULFA vice-chairman hints at talks without Paresh Barua

In a hint at peace talks without ULFA Commander-in-Chief, Paresh Barua, vice-chairman of the outfit Pradip Gogoi today said the decision on the talks process will be taken collectively by its central committee.

"The presence of any particular individual is not important in this case. The decision has to be taken by the outfit's central committee leadership," Gogoi, the only top ULFA leader not in custody now, told a local TV channel.

Barua, who is opposed to talks with the government sans sovereignty, had said no leader of the outfit can individually take an decision on whether talks should be held or not.

Referring to NDFB Chairman Ranjan Daimary's arrest, Gogoi asked the people of the state to have patience and let the process of law take place. Efforts to create a rift among people following Daimary's arrest should be avoided, he said.

Several Bodo organisations have alleged that the authorities have a adopted a discriminatory attitude towards Daimary as compared to the arrested ULFA leaders.