Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun
Gogoi on Thursday termed as "positive development" the initiation of
talks by the ULFA leadership with the Centre and hoped that
this will lead to restoration of peace in the state as well as
in the entire northeast.
"My yesterday`s meeting with the ULFA leaders was very
cordial and they had expressed their desire for an honourable
solution to the vexed problem. We, too, on our side showed
full respect to them and agreed upon for a meaningful solution
to the problem. We also cannot let Assam`s existence to be
endangered," Gogoi told reporters here today.
"It is a positive development. It`s heartening that
the ULFA leadership came forward to take part in the peace
process as per the desire of the people of Assam. I hope this
will lead to restoration of permanent peace in the state and
the entire northeast," he said.
"I hope that (elusive ULFA `commander-in-chief`)
Paresh Baruah and his followers, including (ULFA `central
executive committee` member) Jiban Moran will also join in the
peace process for the greater interests of the people of the
State," he said.
"We expect the ULFA problem will be resolved soon and
the law and order situation in the state has improved
tremendously."
Gogoi also lauded the initiatives taken by Hiren
Gohain and others of Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (of
intellectuals) in bringing the front ranking leaders of ULFA
to the negotiation table.
To queries what were the issues they talked about in
yesterday`s meeting, he said, "we had no discussions as
theirs (ULFA leaders) was only a courtesy call".
On him not being present in the meeting in Delhi
today, Gogoi said, "Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked me to come. I told them when
the talks are finalised I will be there. Today`s meeting is
only a courtesy call."
On media reports that the ULFA delegation yesterday
had to sign in the register and deposit their mobile phones
before seeing him at his residence, he clarified, "It is a
normal procedure followed by all visitors, dignitaries,
including ministers, officials, etc. It does not mean that the
government of Assam has shown any disrespect or dishonour to
the top ULFA leaders."
PTI
