ULFA leader Pradeep Gogoi released from jail after 18 years

Guwahati, Mar 4 (ANI): The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi was released on bail from the Guwahati Central Jail here on Thursday after 18 years.

The court of the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Rabin Phukan freed Gogoi after he furnished Rs. 1200,000 as bail bonds as sureties in nine cases.

Gogoi was granted bail earlier also but was unable to furnish the bail bond.

Gogoi's release is considered as a shot in arm to initiate peace talks with the banned ULFA.

Emerging out of the jail, Gogoi said to media that he will play any role assigned by his group in the peace process.

"The course of action to be adopted in taking talks forward will be decided by the collective leadership of ULFA," Gogoi said.

Meanwhile, Gogoi is the second ULFA leader to be released on bail in two weeks.

On February 26, ULFA's Publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary was released.

The ULFA leadership, most of whom are in jail here, had refused to initiate talks by being in jail.

Gogoi's and Daimary's release is expected to set the dialogue ball rolling.

Top ULFA leaders, including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, his deputy Raju Baruah and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, are lodged in the Guwahati Central Jail.

Still some of ULFA leaders, including Paresh Barua, are subtle at the moment and the Centre had indicated of proceeding with talks without them. (ANI)