ULFA negotiators want end to military operations
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By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati: Representatives of the outlawed
United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday urged the
Indian government to immediately stop military operations in Assam and begin direct peace talks with the rebels.
Two rounds of peace talks have been held between government emissaries and an 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG), a team of prominent civil society members chosen by ULFA to bring an end to nearly three decades of insurgency.
The ULFA, which is fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, in October last year nominated the group members to work out a mutually acceptable peace process leading to the formal declaration of a bilateral ceasefire between the outfit and New
Delhi.
"The government of India should create an
environment by stopping military operations and then begin direct peace talks with the ULFA leadership as soon as possible," Dilip Patgiri, a member of the ULFA-chosen PCG, told IANS.
The first round of talks with the PCG and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was held in New Delhi Oct 26. Singh later said he was ready to discuss "all issues relating to the ULFA".
"The ULFA has not committed any violent acts during the April assembly elections. The government, however, is continuing military operations against ULFA which is not in tune with the ongoing peace process," Patgiri said.
"After two rounds of talks, New Delhi is maintaining a go-slow attitude and it is time the government expedited the peace process and showed its sincerity in resolving the problem."
The rebel group has demanded the release of at least five to six of the senior jailed ULFA leaders before the outfit begins direct peace talks with New Delhi. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said his government had recommended the release of some of the jailed ULFA leaders if that helps in bringing peace in the state.
"The chief minister conveyed the state government's decision to New Delhi. But it appears the
proposal was dumped by New Delhi and hence no news about the next round of talks," an ULFA statement said.
The ULFA is one of the most organised rebel armies in the northeast where more than 30 militant groups operate with demands ranging from independence to greater autonomy.
At least 15,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam since 1979 when ULFA, the state's first rebel group, was founded.
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