[Assam] This report TRULY reflects the ground realities of Indian troops being involved in a low intensity war with the ULFA.

[Bartta Bistar]

ULFA negotiators want end to military operations
http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552

By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati: Representatives of the outlawed
United<http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552>Liberation
Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday urged the Indian
government <http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552> to
immediately stop military operations in Assam and begin direct peace talks
with the rebels.

Two rounds of peace talks have been held between government emissaries and
an 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG), a team of prominent civil
society members chosen by ULFA to bring an end to nearly three decades of
insurgency.

The ULFA, which is fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, in
October last year nominated the group members to work out a mutually
acceptable peace process leading to the formal declaration of a bilateral
ceasefire between the outfit and New
Delhi<http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552>
.

"The government of India should create an
environment<http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552>by
stopping military operations and then begin direct peace talks with
the
ULFA leadership as soon as possible," Dilip Patgiri, a member of the
ULFA-chosen PCG, told IANS.

The first round of talks with the PCG and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was
held in New Delhi Oct 26. Singh later said he was ready to discuss "all
issues relating to the ULFA".

"The ULFA has not committed any violent acts during the April assembly
elections. The government, however, is continuing military operations
against ULFA which is not in tune with the ongoing peace process," Patgiri
said.

"After two rounds of talks, New Delhi is maintaining a go-slow attitude and
it is time the government expedited the peace process and showed its
sincerity in resolving the problem."

The rebel group has demanded the release of at least five to six of the
senior jailed ULFA leaders before the outfit begins direct peace talks with
New Delhi. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said his government had
recommended the release of some of the jailed ULFA leaders if that helps in
bringing peace in the state.

"The chief minister conveyed the state
government's<http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552>decision
to New Delhi. But it appears the
proposal <http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552> was
dumped by New Delhi and hence no news about the next round of talks," an
ULFA statement said.

The ULFA is one of the most organised rebel
armies<http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=5552>in
the northeast where more than 30 militant groups operate with demands
ranging from independence to greater autonomy.

At least 15,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam since
1979 when ULFA, the state's first rebel group, was founded.
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