United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leader Anup Chetia was handed over by Bangladesh to India after two decades of wrangling, negotiations and possibly threats. His return is likely to strengthen the peace talks initiated by the Centre and deal a blow to the rebel leader Paresh Barua, who heads the armed wing of ULFA and is opposed to peace talks. It appears, Chetia just got tired of living in exile and decided to return.
After serving a seven year sentence for cross-border intrusion, Chetia had sought political asylum in Bangladesh. However, the government failed to take a decision and he got tired of living in uncertainty. His return will be a boost for the BJP government which is looking for something to revive its spirits after the political massacre in Bihar. Now it can go to the Assam assembly polls with hope instead of despair. That the ULFA leader sought to back the faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, who is actively pursuing a negotiated settlement, is a positive sign for the organisation and the State, which has witnessed cyclic violence.
Senior leaders of ULFA who had come over ground in the last decade or so have backed the peace talks and Barua appears to be isolated. Peace is now within reach, but before sealing a deal New Delhi will have to decide on the cases of murder, abduction and extortion registered against Chetia.
