Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi
on Monday said there has been some progress in the initiatives for
peace talks with banned ULFA but the government would like its
leaders like Paresh Baruah to join the dialogue.
"We have no confirmation of Baruah`s intention but we
will definitely like him to join the peace process," Gogoi
told reporters here.
He, however, said "we cannot wait till the last moment
hoping he comes."
Stating that security operations against the outfit would
continue, the chief minister hoped that hostilities would end
and that the talks process set in motion at the earliest.
"Our doors for talks are always open," he said.
‘Presence of Maoists in Assam is growing’
The presence of Maoists in
Assam is growing and they have links with the ULFA and other
militant outfits, Gogoi said.
Apart from the ULFA, the United Peoples Democratic
Solidarity (UPDS) and Dima Halam Daoga (DHD), insurgent
outfits active in the two hill districts of the state, have
also established links with the Maoists, he said.
Gogoi said there were reports that weapons were
smuggled through the state`s border with neighbouring
countries. "We are aware of such reports for which the
security forces are on alert."
Holding that the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)
was an example of how development helped in controlling
militancy, he congratulated the people for peaceful BTC polls
on April nine. "The people have favoured the ballot culture
and not the bullet culture. The BTC area can be a model how
development can solve problems including that of insurgency."
He also had a dig at the BJP and Left parties for
demanding his resignation. "They have demanded my resignation,
but in states ruled by them whenever any act of violence takes
place, they speak about collective responsibility."
PTI
