Assam: Talks with government on sovereign Kamtapur state moving at slow pace, says KLO leader

Pro-scribed militant group Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) leader Jon Koch on April 15 stated that the peace talks with the Union government on the demand for a separate Kamtapur state is going at a slow pace.

The KLO leader while speaking to reporters stated that the Home Ministry till now is extending their support to the group and hence they are optimistic of a positive outcome after the talks end. The KLO leader also said that the government has allowed KLO cadres to move freely on the occasion of Bihu subject to conditions, however KLO president Jeevan Singha has not taken advantage of the free movement.

“We reached Guwahati on January 18. Our sole demand as mentioned in the memorandum forwarded to Government of India is for a separate Kamtapur state or UTC through peaceful talks. As per the Government, six districts within Assam, eight from West Bengal and three districts from Bihar would comprises Kamtapur state as mentioned in the memorandum. Out talks with the Home Ministry is underway as it is a sensitive issue. Indian government is extending considerable support to our demand. But due to few hurdles our talks are moving at a slow pace”, said Jon Koch while speaking to the media. 

The KLO further said, “The members of KLO are confident that a solution to our demand will come out positively. There are multiple statements, comments being made regarding the talks, but we know that the talks are wholly based on our one single demand and that is a separate Kamtapur state”.

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