ULFA 'foreign secretary' released on bail

Talking to waiting mediapersons outside the jail, Choudhury said the discussions, which would be held soon in a peaceful environment, would ultimately solve the ULFA problem.

"It is because of the people and their desire for settlement of the conflict that we (top ULFA leaders) have been released from jail. Our release was possible also due to the endeavour of the Jatiya Abhibartan (National Convention of the state's intellectuals)", he said.

"We have been underground for 27 years but the conflict is not greater than the people. An agenda for the talks would be prepared and all the demands of the people will be taken up," Choudhury said.

The top ULFA leader also expressed his gratitude to the government, the judiciary and jail authorities along with its inmates. Choudhry, who was received by a large number of his relatives and supporters outside the jail, later left for his native place Helosa in Nalbari district.

Choudhury and ULFA 'finance secretary' Chitraban Hazarika were granted bail on Monday by the Special TADA Court in Guwahati, paving the way for the release of all top jailed leaders of the outfit to take the peace process forward.

Choudhury was granted bail in four TADA cases pending against him, while Hazarika was granted bail on three cases against him. Choudhury and Hazarika were arrested in Bangladesh in November 2009 and after their handing over to Indian authorities, were lodged in Guwahati Central Jail.

The outfit's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, ideologue Bhimakanta Buragohain, vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Barua, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and cultural secretary Pranati Deka were earlier released after the government decided not to oppose their bail to take the peace process forward.