Arrest of Ulfa leaders, call for talks made news in Assam in 2009

The Ulfa received its worst setback since its formation as top-rung leaders were arrested during the year which saw no let-up in violence unleashed by outlawed groups in Assam, where demands for separate states gained ground following the Telangana issue.

The pressure on Ulfa, whose cadres were hiding in Bangladesh, apparently began to mount with the return of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League to power.

On November six, the group's self-styled finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika and foreign secretary Sashadhar Choudhury were handed over to Assam Police after being pushed by the Bangladeshi authorities at Tripura.

But more bad news was in store for the group fighting for a sovereign state as 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa and 'deputy-commander- in-chief' Raju Barua fell into security net during the year's fag end.

With their arrest, hopes kindled on peace talks with the group, which, however, refused to budge on its sovereignty demand. Two other militant groups -- NDFB and Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) -- also received a severe jolt.

While a section of cadres of the former, led by Gobinda Basumatary, decided to come overground and join the peace process, the latter's leader Jewel Garlosa was arrested in Bangalore and the group declared a ceasefire. Organisations spearheading separate Bodoland and Dimaraji states among others gained momentum.