Ex-IB chief Haldar appointed Northeast interlocutor

New Delhi, Oct. 31 (ANI): Former intelligence Bureau (IB) director P.C. Haldar has been appointed interlocutor for talks with three Northeast militant outfits - Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel), United People's Democratic Solidarity and the pro-talks faction of National Democratic Front of Boroland.

Home minister P. Chidambaram made the announcement at his monthly assessment press conference here on Friday.

Haldar is a 1970-batch Bihar cadre IPS officer. The announcement comes close on heels of the appointment last week of Lt Gen. (retd) Vijay Madan as interlocutor for holding talks with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

Apparently, the government is sending a message to the militant outfits of the Northeast that if they lay down arms, Delhi will take the extra step to initiate a dialogue. (ANI)