Indian separatists declare unilateral ceasefire

The United Liberation Front of Asom faction led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa has declared a unilateral and indefinite ceasefire in order to facilitate a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Assam, the Hindustan Times reports.

“ULFA, with a view of exploring a lasting peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, resolves to cease all forms of armed campaign for an indefinite period,” the outfite reportedly said in an e-mail sent to the newspaper. 

ULFA was formed 32 years ago by six people, including Rajkhowa, with the goal of attaining complete sovereignty and independence from India for the present state of Assam.

An estimated 10,000 people have lost their lives in the more than three-decade long conflict.

Peace negotiations began recently after Rajkhowa and other ULFA leaders were turned over to Indian authorities after being arrested by the Bangladeshi security forces.

However, the peace process has been hampered by the continued freedom of Paresh Barua, ULFA's commander-in-chief, who is reportedly operating in the porous border area between Myanmar and China along with about 150 armed rebels.

The Rajkhowa faction has also prepared an agenda for talks with the government asking for a special status for Assam with greater autonomy and where the demand for sovereignty has been dropped, the paper said.