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Millennium offer of safe passage for ULFA men begins

The Assam government's millennium-related safe passage to members of the banned separatist outfit the United Liberation Front of Asom began today. This enables the militants to return home and stay with their family for eleven days.

Official sources said some of the ULFA cadres have contacted the police at the local level to avail of this facility but the government has refused to divulge exact details or figures.

The safe passage offer came following the Governor Lieutenant General S K Sinha's decision to extend safe passage to the ULFA Chairman Aurbindo Rajkhowa and Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua at the request of their parents.

As per the norms of the safe passage, the militants wishing to return to their families can do so after informing the police stations and without carrying arms.

This condition was, however, formally rejected by the ULFA which insists on a plebiscite. However, the Assam government has maintained that feelers have been received from the middle level ULFA cadres wishing to return to their families.

UNI

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