ULFA leader Pradeep Gogoi released from jail after 18 years

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi was released on bail from the Guwahati Central Jail here on Thursday after 18 years.
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The court of the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Rabin Phukan freed Gogoi after he furnished Rs 1200,000 as bail bonds as sureties in nine cases. Gogoi was granted bail earlier too, but was unable to furnish the bail bond. His release is considered as a shot in the arm to initiate peace talks with the banned ULFA.
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Emerging from jail, Gogoi told the media he would play any role assigned by his group in the peace process. "The course of action to be adopted in taking talks forward will be decided by the collective leadership of ULFA," he said.
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Meanwhile, Gogoi is the second ULFA leader to be released on bail in two weeks. On February 26, ULFA's Publicity Secretary Mithinga Daimary was released. The ULFA leadership, most of whom are in jail here, had refused to initiate talks while in jail. Gogoi's and Daimary's release is expected to set the dialogue ball rolling.
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Top ULFA leaders, including chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, his deputy Raju Baruah and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, are lodged in Guwahati Central Jail.