Conflicting reports stated that, after Bodo Accord of January 27 Paresh Baruah may come over ground and sign a peace accord with the Centre as early as April to potentially end a decades-old insurgency in Assam, reports Nagaland Post on January 29. One of Barua’s childhood friends, Rebati Phukan—who “disappeared” in April 2018—is said to be acting as the intermediary between the banned outfit and the Centre. He was apparently drafted by Indian intelligence agencies to break the ice with Barua.