NEW DELHI, Feb 25 � Confirming that the State Government has received positive signals from yet another group of ULFA men, the Government of Assam is expected to draw up the modalities for talks with the outlawed ULFA in consultation with the Centre.
Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi accompanied by the State DGP Shankar Barua held an half-an-hour-long meeting with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, this afternoon. The meeting was also attended by union Home Secretary G K Pillai and Joint Secretary (North East) Navin Verma.
The meeting reviewed the prevailing situation in the State with the Centre and the State Government exchanging notes on the peace process with various militant groups particularly ULFA. The Centre also appraised the State Government about the likely crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar soon.
Emerging from the meeting, the Chief Minister told newsmen that though they have received positive indications from another group of ULFA men, Paresh Barua�s group is yet to respond. The idea is to involve a substantial number of ULFA militants in the talk process,� he added.
�We will try to bring on board all of them including Paresh Barua, but so far there is no signal from his group,� he clarified.
The strategy is to wait for the crackdown in Myanmar, ULFA�s last remaining bastion abroad, after which the Government would be in a better bargaining position. The militant outfit�s position weakened after the crackdown in Bangladesh with as many as seven top leaders surrendering to Indian authorities.
On being asked whether the State Government was planning to offer amnesty to the jailed leaders, Gogoi said they would like to first work out the modalities in consultation with the Home Ministry.
The Chief Minister further hinted P C Haldar may be retained as interlocutor for talks with ULFA , as well. The former Director of Intelligence Bureau is also talking to UPDS, DHD and NDFB, after being appointed as interlocutor by the Home Ministry.
