Government ready for peace talks with ULFA

Government ready for peace talks with ULFA
New Delhi | July 11, 2006 10:07:33 AM IST

The government is committed to holding peace talks with the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to pave way for a ceasefire.

Home Secretary Vinod Kumar Duggal told reporters in New Delhi on Monday that the ULFA, should desist from vitiating the peaceful atmosphere needed for any constructive talks to take place with the rebels.

"The Government of India is committed to pursue the process of talks to ensure lasting peace in Asom. In this context I state with satisfaction that no violent incidents have taken place and restraints has been shown by all sides, since the meeting of June 22 last month," Duggal said.

The representatives of ULFA and Home Minister Shivraj Patil and senior security officials had held talks in June this year.

The ULFA was represented at the June 22 talks by members of People's Consultative Group, which included human rights activists, writers, lawyers and journalists.

A joint statement after the talks had asked the rebels to create "a peaceful and conducive environment so that direct talks with the government are held at the earliest".

Duggal said reports of ULFA issuing extortion notice to a Reserve Bank official for 30,000 dollars was against the spirit of the June 22 statement.

"It had been agreed during those talks that a peaceful atmosphere would be created in Asom that would be conducive to hold talks between the ULFA and the Government. Issuance of such notices, etc. vitiates the ongoing peace process," Duggal added.

Thousands of people have been killed in the insurgency. The State is rich in oil, tea and timber. The ULFA says New Delhi neglects Asom by taking away its rich resources.

Duggal said he hoped the ULFA would take the initiative in creating an atmosphere conducive to holding direct talks with the government.

"It is now hoped that the ULFA will set the process in motion at the earliest ensuring a peaceful environment with a view to hold direct talks with the Government," Duggal said.

Formed in 1979, the ULFA is fighting for a separate homeland, accusing the government of taking away Asom's mineral and forest resources, neglecting the local economy and flooding the area with outsiders.

Asom is one of seven states in northeast, a region racked by a number of insurgencies. More than 15,000 people have been killed since ULFA launched the revolt in 1979 in Asom. (ANI)

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