The first meeting with ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa since his release from jail "was very positive and I am optimistic about taking the peace process forward," Haldar told mediapersons after more than a three-hour meeting with Rajkhowa and Raju Barua, the outfit's deputy commander-in-chief.
"The ULFA has expressed their willingness for unconditional talks. Yes, they have made a request that the ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia be brought back to the country so that he can participate in the peace talks but this is not a pre-condition," he added.
Haldar further said he will convey the "request to the government because it is the government which will take the necessary step in this regard."
Asked about Barua's participation in the peace talks, Haldar said, "The decision to participate or not is a personal decision of the person concerned and we have nothing to do with it."
Regarding the shouting of pro-ULFA slogans and waving of the banned outfit's flag following Rajkhowa's release, Haldar said, "We have conveyed to the leaders that it was not in the right spirit and they have assured us that the cadres will be advised not to do so in the future."
