ULFA chief Rajkhowa released from jail

Guwahati, Jan.1 (ANI): The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa was released from jail on Saturday, a year after being nabbed by Bangladesh security agencies and handed over to the Indian authorities.

Rajkhowa along with ULFA deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah was captured in Bangladesh and handed over to India earlier this year.

"There is no divide amongst ULFA leaders. We are all ready for talks. Our major demand is we want all ULFA leaders in Bangladesh to be released soon," said Rajkhowa after his release.

The special TADA court, which heard his bail plea on Thursday, had deferred the hearing thrice earlier, as the court had sought reports from the home and political department in this regard. he TADA court released Rajkhowa after the Assam government did not oppose his bail application.

ULFA's general secretary Chitraban Hazarika and foreign secretary Sasha Chaudhury are also expected to get bail soon. Rajkhowa has been granted bail just ahead of proposed peace talks with ULFA.

Most top ULFA leaders including ULFA ideologue Bhimakanta Buragohain, vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and deputy commander-in-chief Raju Barua have been already released on bail. (ANI)