Peace talks a political gimmick: Mahanta

Rejecting Assam Government`s peace process with ULFA, Leader of Opposition Prafulla Mahanta on Thursday said the exercise will be futile without the presence of the outfit`s elusive chief Paresh Baruah.

Guwahati: Rejecting Assam Government`s peace
process with ULFA, Leader of Opposition Prafulla Mahanta on Thursday
said the exercise will be futile without the presence of the
outfit`s elusive chief Paresh Baruah.

"The recent offer by the government for talks is only a
political gimmick and unless Paresh Baruah, known for his
anti-talk stance is not included, the process will be futile,"
Mahanta, also a two time chief minister, told reporters.

A change in the political leadership in Bangladesh,
where the top ULFA leaders were taking refuge, paved the way
for talks with most of the ultras arrested and released on
bail.

"But there is no point in talking to different groups at
the same time. The entire top leadership of ULFA have to be
included in the talks process including Paresh Baruah," he
said.

Baruah remains the only top and influential leader who
is still underground as the other prominent ULFA ultras,
including its `chairman` Arabindo Rajkhowa have been arrested
and released on bail.

PTI

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