Sasha Choudhury, a key leader of the United Liberation Front of Asom, center, walks out from the Guwahati Central Jail after his released in Gauhati, January 11, 2011. — Photo by AP

GAUHATI, India: The main militant group in India's troubled northeast will hold peace talks with the Indian government next week.

Sasha Chowdhury, a key leader of the United Liberation Front of Asom, said the first round of unconditional peace talks will be held in New Delhi on February 10.

Chowdhury's announcement Saturday came within five weeks of the release by New Delhi of seven key ULFA leaders from prison in Assam state to facilitate the talks.

The separatists accuse the Indian government of exploiting Assam's natural resources while doing little for the indigenous people.

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