Guwahati, Dec. 5: Ulfa ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain was released from Guwahati Central Jail today after spending nearly seven years behind bars.

Buragohain, alias Mama, had been languishing in Tezpur Jail, barring a few days in Guwahati Central Jail, since December 2003. Buragohain was apprehended by the Royal Bhutan Army during Operation All Clear in Bhutan in December 2003 and handed over to the army.

Mama, who hails from Ahom Gaon near Dhala under Sadiya subdivision in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district, today left Guwahati for his native village along with a few relatives. He had been in the Guwahati Central Jail although he was granted bail by the Tezpur district and sessions court on October 8 last year.

“The peace talks are moving in the right direction,” said Mama, speaking to reporters outside Guwahati Central Jail.

With the release of jailed Ulfa leaders, the proposed peace talks between Ulfa and the government were slowly turning into a reality.

The commander of Ulfa’s 709 battalion, Hira Sarania, yesterday issued a statement to media houses saying the battalion would actively cooperate with the outfit’s central leadership’s efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the Indo-Assam political conflict.

The Ulfa ideologue, however, indicated that the role of outfit’s commander-in-chief, Paresh Barua, was very important for the successful settlement of the Indo-Assam political conflict.

“Paresh Barua is the military chief of the organisation and, hence, he is very relevant in any matter relating to the outfit, including peace talks,” said Buragohain, reiterating the fact that so far the process of holding talks has been moving in the right direction.

“We can take a final decision only after holding the general council meeting of the outfit, which will take place after the release of all jailed leaders like chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury and finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika,” he said.

Buragohain is likely to drum up public support for peace talks like the three other released Ulfa central executive committee leaders — Pradip Gogoi, Mithinga Daimari and Pranati Deka.