NLFT peace talk receives jolt 

NET News Network 

Agartala, Oct18: The peace talk with the Nayanbashi faction of the National Liberation Front of Twipra has reached into a knot with the state government refused to accept any political demand of the outfit. Finance minister Badal Choudhury clarified the stand of the state government when the outfit is carrying on a dialogue with the union home ministry at Delhi.  

‘We have clarified our position and the centre is now to finalise the terms for peace’, he said.  

The statement assumed special significance in view of the recent statement of the NLFT (B) demanding a suitable political position for their leader Nayanbashi Jamatia. The outfit signed a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the centre and the state on April 15 for six months that has been extended till January next.  

Choudhury who returned from Delhi yesterday said the state government is ready to accept any financial or developmental demands of the outfit but have reservation regarding their political demands.  

He indicated that the state government is going to toughen its stand regarding insurgents and demanded for deployment of three battalions of Army in the state. He recently met the defence minister Pranab Mukherjee at Delhi and asked to return the army that was withdrawn during the Kargil war. Though Mr Mukherjee suffered a shock initially hearing the demand for army from a Communist minister later assured to consider it.