India, Bodo rebels start talks for truce extension
Indian officials and leaders of a powerful tribal separatist group from the restive northeastern state of Assam began talks on Saturday to push forward a peace process by extending a year-old truce.
The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), which has been fighting for a separate homeland for ethnic Bodos since 1985, said it was keen to extend their first-ever truce agreed in May 2005.
"We have started negotiations and we are keen to proceed with the peace process and explore the possibility of extending the ceasefire," B. Swmkhwr, general secretary of NDFB, told Reuters over phone from New Delhi.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "But extension of the truce will depend on the attitude of the government of India," said Swmkhwr, who is leading a five-member team meeting officials in the capital for a day.
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