Centre delaying peace process: ULFA

The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam ULFA today passed the buck on to the Centre for delaying the peace process.In his editorial ...

The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam ULFA today passed the buck on to the Centre for delaying the peace process.

In his editorial to the latest issue of the outfit8217;s mouthpiece, Freedom, which was released to the media today, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa alleges that while they have been prompt in replying to the Government8217;s missives, New Delhi has been dragging its foot on the issue.

Rajkhowa says that while the ULFA responded to National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan8217;s letter within a week, the Government took nearly four months to respond to their proposal. 8216;8216;The exchange of letters from the Government8217;s side has slowed down the process of talks. Recently, there has been no reaction from the Government,8217;8217; says Rajkhowa.

He also reiterates that the ULFA would agree to talk only if the dialogue centres around the vexed issue of sovereignty and 10 of its top leaders are released as a goodwill gesture.

Several top ULFA leaders, including vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain are currently lodged in different jails of the state.

8216;8216;We have clearly appealed to the Government of India to release the 10 senior arrested leaders of the executive council of the ULFA as a prelude to talks with the Indian Government. This has been stated in the second formal letter addressed to the Indian Prime Minister as part of the ongoing contacts between the two sides to resolve the Indo-Asom political conflict through dialogue,8217;8217; the editorial states.

Meanwhile, in another statement, ULFA8217;s self-styled commander-in-chief Paresh Barua has said that there was no reason for the people of Assam to feel euphoric about the Supreme Court ruling on the IMDT Act. 8216;8216;There is no reason to be elated. The striking down of the Act does not necessarily mean that the foreigners would now leave Assam. The foreigners8217; issue of Assam can only be solved after its sovereignty is restored,8217;8217; says Barua.

Checking ULFA

Story continues below this ad

NEW DELHI: With security agencies warning of an imminent ULFA regroup, the Home Ministry today set up a mechanism to share intelligence among the north-eastern states. The senior police officials would meet at regular intervals to share intelligence about movement of militants across the state boundaries. This was decided at a meeting to review the security of North-eastern states chaired by Home Secretary V.K. Duggal. The first meeting would be hosted by DGP Manipur in Shillong. 8212;ENS