Chidambaram welcomes ULFA ceasefire; anti-talk faction rejects it

Paresh Barua, heading the ULFA's anti-talk faction, today rejected the unilateral ceasefire declared by Arabindo Rajkhowa-led group, even as home minister P Chidambaram welcomed it.

"The ceasefire declared by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa is against the ULFA's constititution and we refuse to accept it," Barua said in an email to PTI.

Citing the ULFA "constitution", he said no member who had been jailed or was in the custody of 'enemy camp' could take any decision on the ULFA's behalf.

He pointed out that the chairman and some senior members were currently out of jail on bail.

"A ceasefire is declared by soldiers who are at war and not by people who are in the enemy camp. Therefore, the declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the chairman is unconstitutional as he and the others have no right to take any decision on behalf of the outfit," Barua said.

Stating that Rajkhowa's announcement was "not unexpected", he claimed that the decision to declare ceasefire had been done "to mislead the people of Assam".

Rajkhowa had yesterday declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire for "a lasting peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict" and directed cadres to cease all forms of armed campaign.