[Assam] Like Nelson Mandela ‘keeping the bomb by his side’ the ULFA too can negotiate with India sincerely and wisely.

[Bartta Bistar]

Call for ULFA to observe restraint

http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/jun/22ulfa.htm

*K Anurag in Guwahati | *June 22, 2006 21:21 IST


The third round of preparatory talks between representatives of the
government of India and the People's Consultative Group nominated by the
banned United Liberation Front of Asom concluded on Thursday in New Delhi
with a joint call for restraint from all sides to create a conducive
atmosphere in violence-affected Assam to facilitate direct talks between the
ULFA leaders and the central government.

   - ULFA denies hand in blasts<http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jun/10assam.htm>

In joint statement issued after the daylong discussion, which was chaired by
the Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the government and the PCG called upon the
banned ULFA to create a peaceful atmosphere in Assam for the sake of lasting
peace.

As per the joint statement, the Union home minister assured the PCG to
consider the latter's requests for release of five senior jailed ULFA
leaders favourably after consulting with the government of Assam.

The government of Assam had earlier stated that it wouldn't object to
release of 'certain' senior ULFA leaders from jails provided the government
thought it prudent.

However, it developed cold feet over the issue in the wake of the latest
series of ULFA-detonated explosions in Assam that left eight dead and over
100 injured.

The ULFA had demanded the release of five jailed central executive leaders
-- Pradip Gogoi, Bhimkanta Buragohain, Pranati Deka, Nmithing Mithinga
Daimary and Ramu Mech -- to enable it to take a 'consensus decision'
regarding direct negotiation with the government.

As per the joint statement, the home minister asked the PCG to impress
upon ULFA the need for a peaceful atmosphere in the state of Assam for
finding a peaceful solution to the problem. The statement concluded with an
appeal for restraint from all sides raising hopes for ceasefire in the
trouble-torn state.

Thursday's meeting was of the view that modalities for holding
ULFA-government talks in a fixed timeframe would be worked out through
mutual consultation.

The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, senior
Home Ministry officials, Assam Chief Secretary S Kabilan and all members of
the PCG led by noted Assamese litterateur Dr Indira Goswami.

The PCG was nominated by ULFA in September 2005 to prepare the ground for
direct talks with the government of India.

The earlier two rounds of PCG-government talks were held in October 2005 and
February 2006.
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