[Assam] Let us hope that this is the final approach to the Yellow Brick Road leading to end the 180 years of subjugation of Assam and India’s relief in finding a way to get rid of her Achilles Heel.

[Bartta Bistar]

*Patil meets ULFA representative group*

New Delhi, June 22 (PTI): Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today held talks
with Indira Goswami-led People's Consultative Group (PCG), representing the
Northeast insurgent outfit ULFA, to prepare ground for direct talks between
the militant group and the Centre.

"The talks are being held to discuss various issues as part of a peace
dialogue and to prepare ground for direct parleys between ULFA and the
Centre," official sources said.

Besides Patil, the meeting was attended by National Security Advisor M K
Narayanan, Home Secretary V K Duggal, Goswami, a Delhi University Professor
spearheading the negotiations on behalf of ULFA, along with an 11-member PCG
delegation and Assam Chief Secretary S Sarwan.

Sources had earlier said the demand of ULFA for release of six of its
detained leaders would be taken up by PCG at the meeting.

The third round of PCG-Centre talks come against the backdrop of a spurt in
ULFA-sponsored attacks in Assam and the government's allegation that the
insurgent outfit was adopting pressure tactics by indulging in violence, a
charge denied by the outfit.

Union Home Secretary V K Duggal had warned last week that violence could
spoil the atmosphere for the parleys.

ULFA has demanded that its Vice Chairman Prodip Gogoi and five senior
activists Ramu Mech, Bhimkanta Buragohain, Pranati Deka, Mrinal Hazarika and
Mithinga Daimary alias Deepak Das be released as they were part of its
16-member executive committee which has to meet to take the peace talks
forward.
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