Kokrajhar, Feb. 7: Taking the cue from Ulfa, the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has refused to begin peace talks unless Delhi provides information about the whereabouts of seven senior members who went missing during Operation All Clear in Bhutan over two years ago.

NDFB commander-in-chief Ranjan Daimary, alias D.R. Nabla, told The Telegraph in an email interview that ?Delhi has to prove its sincerity by providing information on the seven leaders?. The list includes the outfit?s publicity secretary, B. Erakdao. The others are B. Habrang, B. Fwjoukhang, Jwkhrub, Derhasa, Onsula and Udla.

The Ulfa leadership has placed a similar condition before the government, citing the need for quorum in its central executive before beginning a dialogue for peace. Four of the outfit?s top leaders have not been traced since Bhutan?s military operation to flush out militants from its territory.

Daimary claimed that the missing leaders of his group had been taken into custody by the Royal Bhutan Army just before the start of Operation All Clear. He said they were now ?in the hands (custody) of either India or Bhutan?.

Govinda Basumatary, the NDFB?s secretary-general, had said a few days ago that his group was sure about Erakdao, Habrang and Fwjoukhang being held captive in Bhutan.

The NDFB commander-in-chief made it clear that ?there could be further development (of the peace process) only when we get information on them?.

The NDFB signed a tripartite ceasefire agreement with Delhi and Dispur on May 24 last year, but has yet to begin a formal dialogue. The outfit?s leaders have instead been meeting representatives of the Bodo and other communities.

On Saturday, an NDFB team even met former leaders of the disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), which was once the outfit?s main rival.

On his group?s agenda for the proposed talks with Delhi, Daimary said the NDFB had not come forward ?to only talk about peace?.

?We want to talk about our historical rights. We want to talk about the legitimate rights of the Bodo people. We will talk only of the freedom and sovereignty of the Bodo people,? he said. The militant leader denied that the NDFB was planning to play a role in the Assembly elections, due in April. ?We have nothing to do with the elections.?

Daimary offered no comment when asked about the NDFB secretary-general?s recent claim that the militant group would indirectly back some ?like-minded candidates?.