The proscribed Ulfa (Independent) on Saturday extended its unilateral ceasefire announced on May 15 by another three months because the pandemic situation in Assam was yet to stabilise.

The declaration comes close on the heels of its August 12 declaration not to call its customary Independence Day bandh, the first time since 1996.

The twin Ulfa (I) announcements and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s positive response has fuelled speculations of a bilateral ceasefire being round the corner to pave the way for a formal peace process between the Centre and the outfit.

In a statement emailed to a section of journalists, Ulfa (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Barua said the decision to extend the ceasefire was taken because the Covid situation was yet to stabilise and that they will shun hostilities as part of their social responsibility.

Till Friday, there were 8,654 active cases in the state, of which 763 cases were detected during the day. Altogether 20 deaths because of Covid were also reported. Though curfew hours have been reduced, the ban on inter-district travel imposed in May continues to check the spread of Covid-19.

The ongoing ceasefire, announced on May 15 because of difficulties faced by the masses owing to Covid-19, is only the second time since 2006 that the outfit has announced cessation of hostilities. The outfit had in 2006 responded to the Centre’s decision to temporarily suspend all counter-insurgency operations to pave the way for talks.

Sarma, who had appealed to Ulfa (I) to join the mainstream the day he assumed charge on May 10, described the extension of ceasefire as a very “positive and encouraging” sign.

“Before this the Ulfa had also not called its customary bandh on Independence Day... I hope this ceasefire becomes permanent and pray that the Ulfa (I) under the leadership of Paresh Barua returns to the mainstream with full honour,” Sarma said.

The Ulfa, formed in 1979, has led an armed insurgency with the objective of securing a sovereign Assam. It was banned in 1990.

Over the years its top-ranking members have joined the mainstream. It also suffered a major split in 2011 when the then Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa decided to join the peace process. Barua has since renamed his faction Ulfa (Independent).

Time and again Barua has made it clear he was not against talks but negotiations have to include the issue of sovereignty. Since the Centre wants the talks to be held within the framework of the Constitution, past efforts at peace have not made much headway.

Sources said moves are now on to find a middle path so that the peace process can take off.

“Not calling a bandh on Independence Day and extension of ceasefire are welcome as these fuel hopes of a breakthrough,” a source said.

Though the Ulfa (I) has not called any bandh on Sunday, it has, however, urged the masses to stage their protest democratically by hoisting the outfit’s flag, waving black flags and wearing black badges by adhering to Covid protocol.

Barua is said to be controlling the reins of his outfit from the Myanmar-China border.