[Assam] ‘Agarwal wanted to know why the state government was a silent spectator to the violence’. An Indian Union Home Ministry official of his position is unlikely NOT to have full knowledge of the security personnel strength in the region, hence, perhaps s

[Bartta Bistar]

Ahead of talks, Assam wants Centre to clear confusion over stand on ULFA

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/6652.html
*

Samudra Gupta Kashyap

Posted online: Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 0000 hrs **HYPERLINK \l
""*<http://mail.google.com/printerFriendly/6652.html>


*

GUWAHATI, JUNE 16:*The Assam Government today asked the Centre to clear the
confusion over proceeding against the ULFA, in view of the peace talks. It
has sought a clear directive on whether to go for an end to hostilities or
opt for a full-steam operation against the outfit.



The state's view was aired before Rajiv Agarwal, joint secretary in the
Union Home Ministry, who was in Guwahati today to review the situation in
the wake of the recent spate of violence and the forthcoming talks with the
ULFA-nominated PCG.

Chief Secretary S Kabilan, DGP D N Dutt and several senior police and Home
department officials represented the state government in the review meeting.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was recently on a tour of Europe, is
currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS.

Sources said the state had sought a clear stand from New Delhi on how to
handle the ULFA, to remove confusion created when any arrest or operation is
viewed by the ULFA as an attempt to scuttle the talks.

ULFA even attributed the recent explosions to the state government. ULFA
C-in-C Paresh Barua also accused Assam Police Special Branch IG Khagen
Sharma of trying to derail the peace process. The police blame ULFA for the
recent violence spanning five days.

Although Kabilan said that discussions with Agarwal centered on the violence
and the Assam Government's demand for more forces to tackle the situation,
sources said Agarwal was told that handling the scene with the militants
taking advantage of the peace talks was becoming a problem.

''A ceasefire is better because that will at least help us keep the
situation under control as it had happened in Nagaland,'' said a senior
official who attended the meeting. ''In a situation of ceasefire or
cessation of hostilities, you have certain ground rules and a monitoring
cell, which helps keep the situation under control,'' he added.

Sources said when Agarwal wanted to know why the state government was a
silent spectator to the violence unleashed by ULFA for five days, he was
told that shortage of forces was a reason but the state government had
beefed up security, thus preventing more damage and deaths.

''We basically discussed three issues, a review of the situation following
the blasts, the state's demand for more forces and aspects concerning the
run-up to the forthcoming round of talks,'' said Kabilan after the meeting.

ULFA's demand for release of its five top leaders is understood to have come
up during the meeting.

The five ULFA central committee members are vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi,
central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, cultural secretary Pranati
Deka, ideologue and advisor Bhimkanta Buragohain and executive member Ramu
Mech.

''We also presented the state government position regarding the release of
the five leaders,'' Kabilan said. The Assam government has been saying it
had no objection to their release if it facilitates direct talks between the
Centre and the ULFA.

*samudra.gupta.kashyap at expressindia
*

'Agarwal wanted to know why the state government was a silent spectator to
the violence'. An Indian Union Home Ministry of his position is unlikely NOT
to have full knowledge of the security personnel strength in the region,
hence, perhaps scanning with mental Polygraph Radar around him. Liars, own
up now!
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