Nalbari: The pro-talk ULFA faction, led by
Arabinda Rajkhowa, is deliberating on the charter of demands
to be taken up during its peace talks with the Centre.
A closed-door meeting of the outfit`s executive body at
Helasa in Nalbari district since Sunday studied the
proposals, handed over to them by Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan
(SJA), a group of intellectuals to facilitate talks, a top
ULFA leader said on Monday.
The meeting will also discuss issues raised by SJA,
reflecting aspirations of the Assamese people, before
submitting its own charter of demands to the Centre, the
leader said.
The SJA charter demands constitutional amendments to give
Assam greater control over their natural resources, revenue
generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a
secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced
development.
Handing over the document to the ULFA chairman at a
function in Guwahati last Saturday, SJA convener and Sahitya
Akademi winner, Hiren Gohain, expressed hope talks would lead
to positive results.
Gohain said, "I am hopeful the talks will be fruitful
as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it clear that the
Constitution was flexible and necessary changes could be made
to fulfill the aspirations of the indigenous Assamese."
Rajkhowa told reporters at the Guwahati function the
outfit would press for a time-bound dialogue with the Centre
so that talks did not drag.
PTI
