Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Board in the Parliament House, on February 4, has reportedly informed the BJP’s Members of Parliament (MPs) that a positive outcome of talks between Government of India (GoI) and United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) is expected soon, reports The Assam Tribune. Though, the ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah has been denying that his faction is keen on talks with the GoI, yet sources confirmed that talks are in process.
E Pao also reports that Modi has stated that despite apprehensions, the signing of Bodo Accord was historic as the vision of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" and commitment towards a holistic development of the North-East is fulfilling with the ending of a five-decade old Bodo crisis. Accordingly, over 1615 cadres of different factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) have surrendered their arms and joined the mainstream within two days of the signing of the agreement. A special package of Rs 1500 Crore is earmarked for the development of the region. PM Modi also said that the Bru-Reang Agreement signed by the Government of India and Governments of Mizoram, Tripura, will provide relief and succour to over 35,000 Bru-Reang refugees. The surrendering of 85 cadres of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) in Tripura has been an achievement of GoI towards the continued commitment and vision for the overall development and peace of the North East. PM Modi is expected to participate in the celebration of signing the Bodo Agreement in Kokrajhar on February 7.