Guwahati, Nov 23: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday asserted that peace talks with ULFA(I) can move forward only if its chief, Paresh Barua, personally agrees to join the dialogue.

His remarks came shortly after ULFA(I)’s self-styled general Arunoday Dahotia, seen as one of Paresh Barua’s closest aides, surrendered along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Dahotia and his personal security officer, Francis Axom, reportedly laid down arms early Saturday at Pangsau Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, ending years of association with the outfit’s top military leadership.

Dahotia and his personal security officer, Francis Axom. (AT Photo)

However, the Chief Minister maintained that the surrender does not change the wider equation around talks with ULFA(I) and his government will not engage i

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