GUWAHATI, Sept 21 - Slow progress of talks between the Government of India and United Liberation Front of Asom (pro-talk faction) has resulted in growing frustration among the cadres of the outfit. Under the circumstances, the possibility of a sizeable number of them switching over to the hardline faction headed by Paresh Baruah cannot be ruled out.
The security agencies recently intercepted a few calls of ULFA(I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and he also spoke about the possibility of some pro-talk members switching over to the hardline faction.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, a senior central committee member of the pro-talk faction of the ULFA admitted that the cadres of the outfit who are sitting idle in the designated camps were frustrated and the possibility of some of them joining the hardline faction cannot be ruled out. He said that the Government of India would lose a golden opportunity of political solution of the problems if the talks are not resumed by November and this would only strengthen the hands of the hardline faction.
The ULFA leader said that the central committee members of the outfit are facing the pressure of the frustrated cadres and �we should not be blamed by anyone if we fail to keep them under our wings for a long time.� He pointed out that there were only six instances of cease-fire violation by members of the pro-talk faction of the ULFA in the last four years. The person, who was involved in the most serious of the ceasefire violations, was expelled from the outfit and he later became a Member of Parliament, he pointed out.
The ULFA central committee office bearer pointed out that during the talks with the Government so far, they called for rehabilitation of the cadres, who are not even getting their monthly stipend regularly, but the Government only gave assurances and did nothing on the ground. �We are holding talks with the Government on the basis of the national convention, which was attended by prominent intellectuals of the State and members of majority of the political parties and organizations. But unfortunately, the Government failed to show sincerity in early solution of the issues and no talk was held since June , which is leading to frustration among the cadres. At present, the central committee members are finding it hard to tell the cadres the reasons for the slow progress of talks. Moreover, the Government has not initiated step to bring back Anup Chetia from Bangladesh to involve him in the peace process and there is apprehension among the cadres that he may join hands with Paresh Baruah,� he added.
