[Assam] Chidambaram has a different view on the release of jailed ULFA leaders - Sentinel

[Ram Sarangapani]

This from the Sentinel. (Highlights mine). Excerpts from the Sentinel:

*"According to sources, Chidambaram asked the delegation as to who would
take the responsibility if the jailed ULFA leaders went underground again
after their release."*

And Dr. Gohain's delegation states *" Sonia Gandhi was very interested in
peace talks with the ULFA, but our optimism suffered a setback when we met
Chidambaram.”
*
So, what can one glean from this:

1) The Ulfa leadership has already stated that they need to be released
first to hold peace talks.

2) Dr. Gohain's delegation has bought into the idea that peace talks can
ONLY be held if the ULFA leaders are released. A kind of pre-condition.

3) This delegation is basically lobbying for the release of the ULFA
leadership from jail, and have peace 'at all costs'

4) The leadership is utterly stumped by Chidambaram's question as to who
would take the responsibility if these ULFA leaders take off. And of course,
the delegation is not sure if that will NOT happen, so it views this as a
setback.

Whatever happened to the basic question of whether or not these leaders
should ever face the courts for the crimes they committed?

That the ULFA leadership wants to be released from jail is understandable.
No body wants to be in prison, or be held accountable for crimes they
committed.

But what has happened to the multitudes of political and civil leaders in
both the State & Center? Have they all collectively lost their back bones?

The big question is this: Should the crimes these leaders are charged with
(and often even acknowledged even by themselves - as with the Dhemaji
killings) be glossed over, brushed under the carpet, and be forgotten? And
with a clear societal conscience?

Yeah!  We all want peace & harmony - who doesn't? But, how much is one to
give up, and bend over? At what costs? What does this say of a society that
is so eager to capitulate?

(btw: this is no sermon, or 'I am better' or 'I know whats best' etc. These
are just simple questions I think a society needs to answer)

Maybe, the answer is that before releasing these ulfa leaders, the
State/Center should drop all criminal charges against them, give them a warm
red carpet welcome, and whatever.

At least then , IMHO, all this won't be a charade, and we can all hold our
heads up high (well, at least, some will)

If not, then let the legal process play out its course.

I don't know the answers here. Maybe some of the bright people here have
them - I certainly don't.

--Ram

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 From our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, July 23: In his talks with the six-member Sanmilita Jatiya
Abhivartan (SJA) delegation on the issue of release of jailed ULFA leaders
so as to enable them to hold the central executive meeting of the outfit so
that it can reach a consensus on talks with the government, Union Home
Minister P Chidambaram today passed the buck to the State Government.

After their meeting with Chidambaram,  delegation leader Dr Hiren Gohain
said: “The response from Chidambaram on the issue of release of the jailed
ULFA leaders is quite different from that of the Prime Minister. He has
passed the buck to the State Government.”

Dr Gohain further said: “When we met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi earlier in
the day, we had an impression that peace talks with the ULFA would be
started soon. Sonia Gandhi was very interested in peace talks with the ULFA,
but our optimism suffered a setback when we met Chidambaram.”

According to sources, Chidambaram asked the delegation as to who would take
the responsibility if the jailed ULFA leaders went underground again after
their release.

Dr Gohain said that it would be difficult to say if the State Government
would be interested in releasing the jailed ULFA leaders when the Assembly
election was nine/ten months away.

The delegation will meet BJP leaders LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj tomorrow.