Jeraigaon (Dibrugarh), Dec. 26: Ulfa (Independent) commander-in-chief Paresh Barua's family is happy with Anup Chetia 's return and are hopeful that he will be able to bring the Ulfa leader, said to be operating from China, back home.

Chetia and Barua are first cousins.

Chetia had turned emotional yesterday and today while referring to Paresh Barua. He reiterated that it would "have been great to have Paresh" with him "on this journey back home".

Renu Barua, the sister-in-law of Paresh Barua, told The Telegraph they were very happy that Chetia had returned home after 18 years.

"We are positive and hopeful that Anup will take forward the peace process with the central government and only he can bring Paresh back home,'' Renu said.

Paresh Barua's family also joined Chetia's family in the celebrations on his return.

"Paresh Barua's mother Miliki wished to see her son before her death, but she died,'' Renu said.

"Paresh, in a video message, apologised for not being able to fulfil his mothers' long cherished dream of seeing him in person," she said.

"We don't know if Paresh will come but we are positive and waiting to welcome him at his home,'' she added.

"If the demands presented by Ulfa (I) were fulfilled by the Centre, then we think Paresh will come back to his native village,'' said Suren Baruah, Chetia's elder brother.

One of the family members said their hopes were pinned on Chetia.

"Only he can bring Paresh home," Suren, in his eighties, said. Family members alleged after both Paresh and Anup left home, they faced atrocities at the hands of security personnel.

"There was no help from the administration," Renu, in her late forties, said.