The Guwahati Police on Thursday arrested the wives of six ULFA leaders, who were on a fast-unto-death since March 21. The women were seeking information about their husbands who could not be traced since the December 2003 anti-ULFA operations conducted by the Indian Army and the Royal Bhutan Army. Rajen Singh, Additional SP of Guwahati Police said the women were arrested on charges of attempting to commit suicide and violating Section 144 of the IPC.

Reacting to the arrest, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said it was another move by the government to push the ULFA away from finding a peaceful solution. “The arrest of the women is proof that the government does not want ULFA to seek peaceful solution,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court on Friday fixed April 12 as the next date for hearing on a petition filed by Shyamali Gogoi seeking the court’s intervention in finding her husband.