NDFB urges Delhi to free its leaders

Age of hope
Kokrajhar, Dec 17 : The National Democratic Front of Boroland has urged the Centre to release its jailed leaders, but not before profusely thanking Delhi for appointing an interlocutor and taking the peace process forward.
In a press release today, the outfit’s information and publicity wing assistant secretary B. Samijing said: “The NDFB welcomes the appointment of an interlocutor by the government of India to carry forward the peace process for durable and sustainable political solution to the conflict. We are grateful and thankful to the government for this initiative. We also extend our gratitude to the Bodo National Conference for their relentless pursuit of peace process.”
The NDFB statement came after P.C. Haldar, the government’s peace interlocutor, held talks with the outfit’s president, Ranjan Daimary, in Central Jail, Guwahati, last Tuesday.
Welcoming the beginning of parleys between the outfit’s leaders and the government interlocutor, the release said: “We are optimistic that the talks will proceed in the right direction towards a logical conclusion. The NDFB rallies around its leaders to carry forward the peace process and appeals to the all section of people to support it for a permanent solution.”
Calling on the Centre to release all its leaders and cadres from jail, the NDFB leader said: “We believe mutual respect and understanding will help find an amicable solution. In order to carry forward the political dialogue formally with dignity and honour we call on the government of India to free our leaders and cadres from jail. The talks held in captivity would tantamount to imposition, devoid of free and fair environment. Therefore, it is imperative to give a fair deal to the talks. The ball is now in the government’s court. We hope that the government will show sincerity in resolving the conflict and fulfilling the aspirations of the Bodo and other indigenous people,” it said.
The outfit also thanked the Bodo National Conference, a conglomeration of various organisations, for their relentless efforts to initiate the peace process.