The banned United Liberation Front of Asom suffered a split with its 28 strike force battalion declaring a unilateral ceasefire with the government to expedite the peace process on Tuesday.
"The 28 battalion has unanimously decided to go on unilateral ceasefire from Tuesday to expedite the peace process with the government," said a press release of the unit. No timeframe, however, has been given for the ceasefire.
The decision was taken at a meeting held in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit district bordering Sadiya during which was attended by top leaders of the battalion's 'A' and 'C' companies. Leaders of the other company 'B' did not attend.
Fifteen members of the 28 battalion including its founder Mrinal Hazarika and present commander Bijoy Chinese appealed to the ULFA's central committee, the Centre and the Assam government, to "positively respond to the goodwill gesture of the battalion to find a peaceful solution to the insurgency problem".
The leaders said the decision for a ceasefire was taken in view of the opinion from various quarters and organisations for arriving a peaceful solution to the state's insurgency problem.
Among the other top leaders who attended the meeting were company commander of 'A' and 'C' Jiten Dutta, 'sergeant major' and 'spokesman' Joon Bhuyan and 'sergeant' Rudra Gogoi. There was, however, no confirmation from the government, police or army's side on the issue.
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