ULFA's response will shape Assam's destiny
[ 24 Aug, 2006 1217hrs IST
IANS ]
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1923247,curpg-2.cms |
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GUWAHATI: The next fortnight is going to be the most crucial phase in efforts at ending Assam's nearly three decades of violent rebellion, with the ball now in the court of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
New Delhi's decision on Wednesday to extend suspension of military operations against the ULFA by another 15 days has been hailed by one and all.
The central government had on Aug 14 announced a 10-day unilateral suspension of anti-insurgency operations against the ULFA, the rebel outfit reciprocated by announcing it would halt its guerrilla campaign.
The demand by the ULFA to release five of their jailed leaders is the main issue now blocking direct peace talks between the elusive rebel leadership and government peace negotiators.
Government peace emissaries during talks Wednesday with two ULFA intermediaries in New Delhi said the five jailed rebels would be released the moment the authorities received a formal communication from the outfit clarifying some very tricky issues.
New Delhi wants the ULFA to give in writing that it was ready for direct talks, name the outfit's negotiating team members, and specify a timeframe for the dialogue.
The Indian government is apprehensive that the ULFA might depute the five jailed leaders for the direct talks. New Delhi wants some top rebel leaders like chairperson Arabinda Rajkhowa or commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah to come for the negotiations.
"Talks would be productive if the ULFA top brass come for talks instead of the second rung leaders (jailed ULFA leaders) and hence we want to know for sure before releasing the jailed leaders," a home ministry official said requesting anonymity.
The government has also offered safe passage to the ULFA leaders who are underground to join the peace talks.
Noted Assamese writer and rebel mediator Indira Goswami said the government's message would be communicated to the ULFA leadership and was hoping to get the outfit's response within the next two weeks.
It would be interesting to watch ULFA's response with the government tightening its posture by setting some preconditions for the release of the jailed leaders.
The exact whereabouts of the top ULFA leaders are not known, but intelligence officials indicate that many of the outfit's key leaders operate out of Bangladesh. Dhaka denies the charges.
The big question now is whether the ULFA agrees to name its negotiating team or takes umbrage at the government's hard stance.
The picture about which way the peace process moves from now on would get clear in the next two weeks. Is Assam going to witness a lasting peace? Or would the temporary cessation of hostilities by both sides get rattled by the war of words?
But one thing is for sure, the Assamese people are craving for peace and would like to see peace talks getting on - they want the two sides to be flexible and not adopt a belligerent posture that could jeopardise the fragile peace.
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