Guwahati: The chances of immediate peace
talks with banned ULFA appears to be bleak as both militant
leaders Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and 'Commander-in-Chief'
Paresh Barua are united in their demand for "sovereignty" of
Assam which is not acceptable to the government.
Rajkhowa, who was brought to Kamrup CJM's court
handcuffed yesterday, said there could be no talks with
handcuffs and also without the issue of "sovereignty" included
in the agenda of talks.
He urged his brother Ajay Rajkonwar to convey to the
people of Assam that there would be no talks with the
government unless the issue was discussed.
Paresh Barua, reportedly in Myanmar now, has also said
the outfit was prepared for talks provided Assam's
"sovereignty" was discussed.
Both the central and state governments have made it
clear that talks can be held only if the outfit gives up its
demand for "sovereignty".
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had said in
Parliament that talks with the ULFA would be held only if the
demand for "sovereignty" was not raised and the outfit abjured
violence.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had also echoed a
similar view.
Initially ULFA had three demands -- Assam's
"sovereignty", mediation of a third country and involvement of
the United Nations.
The outfit later gave up the last two demands but
stuck to the issue of "sovereignty".
The ULFA stand on 'no talk without sovereignty issue'
has other takers including three jailed militant leaders--Vice
Chairman Pradip Gogoi, 'Publicity Secretary' Mithinga Daimary
and 'Cultural Secretary' Pranati Deka.
Human Rights activist Lachit Bordoloi said it was
deplorable that Rajkhowa had been brought to the court with
handcuffs. "This treatment had made it clear the government
was not interested in talks," he claimed.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 06, 2009, 19:13