NEW DELHI, June 24 � The �bid to carry forward the ULFA peace process inched further, with P C Haldar calling on leader of the steering committee of Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (SJA), Dr Hiren Gohain and held informal close door discussion.
Haldar, who is tipped to take over as interlocutor for the ULFA peace process, called up Dr Gohain and requested a meeting with him. The duo met� for over an hour at Assam Bhavan, this afternoon at around 5 pm. Interestingly enough, other five members of the delegation were not invited to join the deliberation.
Though the SJA delegation had plans to call on Haldar, whose name was proposed for the post by Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, the former Intelligence Bureau chief himself came and met Dr Gohain. He is currently the government�s interlocutor for talks with NDFB, DHD (J),UPDS among others.
Haldar reportedly was briefed by Dr Gohain about their meeting with various Central leaders, while pressing�with their prime demand for release of the jailed ULFA leaders. Though Haldar did not make any comment, he heard out the SJA leader. Dr Gohain�expressed his dismay at the tough posture adopted by�Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram on Wednesday, sources said.
Haldar was told that ULFA leaders wanted a respectable solution�and were keen to�sit for talks. It was impressed that the leaders needed to be released to enable them to hold�a central committee meeting to decide on the proposal to sit for talks.�
Meanwhile, in their memorandum to Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, SJA said that the long drawn conflict between security forces and the insurgent groups including ULFA has not only inflicted hardships on the people but also had made them victims of a prolonged and endless social disorder� and economic uncertainties.�
The SJA blamed both ULFA and security forces for the loss of lives of innocent civilians, who also face the brunt of excesses committed by various anti-social elements taking full advantage of the resultant chaotic situation. Wanton corruption in public domain leading to further regression, frustration and suffering of the people, Gandhi was told.
The sad story of socio-economic disorder and human tragedy does not end here. In addition to colossal amount of money that would otherwise have gone for development, loss of lives on both sides, has become an horrendous evil, the memorandum said.
Dr Gohain advocating dialogue said that said it is for Government of India to seize this rare opportunity to marshal the support and cooperation of the people to build up a solid basis for future peace and progress. �History will be harsh in judgement, if the Government of India fails to seize this opportunity,� the memorandum said.
