Chetia clears air, says is willing to participate in talks

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 14: ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia, currently lodged in Guwahati Central Jail, today said he is willing to participate in the ongoing peace talks with the government.

Chetia was speaking to reporters while being produced in a CJM court in connection with two cases under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. "Doubts have been expressed that I might flee again. But I will not do that. I am ready to participate in the talks," Chetia, who had earlier fled in 1992 after being released by the government to facilitate the talks, said.

He also asked for forgiveness from the people of Assam for his "past mistakes."

 "I offer my tributes to the people who lost their lives for opposing our revolution and pray for peace of their souls," he said, expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister rendra Modi, Home Minister Rajth Singh, Exterl Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Sports Minister Sarbanda Sonowal and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for their efforts for his extradition from Bangladesh where he had been serving a jail term since 1997.