NEW DELHI, Aug 3 � The Centre has opened back channel communication with the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB and is in the process of fixing the pre-condition for starting dialogue.
�There are back channel contacts with NDFB chairman Ranjan Daimary. Some more steps have to be taken before talks begin. I don�t think it is correct to say that the talks have failed. Talks have not started with the Ranjan Daimary group. I think, once the talks start with the Daimary group, after the pre-conditions are satisfied, we should expect that the talks will move towards a successful conclusion,� said Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram.
The Home Minister, who was replying to questions during a Question Hour discussion in the Rajya Sabha as Centre is talking to some other groups like NSCN-IM, ULFA, it is its intention to talk to the NDFB group after some pre-conditions are satisfied.
But the Home Minister said that split in Daimary�s faction has led to complications. Talks are on with the NDFB (Progressive). The other NDFB led by Ranjan Daimary has split. A large section under Ranjan Daimary favours talks but there is another section, which does not favour talks. Some of them are in prison. We are in touch with them. They are inclined to talk but there are still some more steps which have to be taken before formal talks can begin,� he said.
�But it is our intention and let me make it clear it is the Government of India to hold talks with any militant or insurgent organisation which formally gives up violence and is willing to talk and find solution through democratic means. But they would have to formally renounce violence,� he said.
Earlier, Biren Baishya joining the issue, referred to the ongoing agitation by NDFB (P) said that during the last three days, they observed bandh, general strike in certain areas of Bodoland.
Taking part in the discussion, Thomas Sangma asked when the Government is intended to resolve these issues. It has already taken more than seven years. If the talks fail between the Bodo and the insurgent groups, the whole Northeast region would be affected, particularly the western part of Meghalaya. Whenever they call bandh, they enforce road blockade, railway blockade, economic blockade and lot of violence happen, innocent lives are lost and people are permanently affected.
Meanwhile, NDFB (P) faction has made an open appeal to the tribal MPs to support and raise the demand of separate State of Boroland during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. As reported, a delegation of NDFB (P) faction has been meeting Central leaders of various political parties to garner support.
