Centre sets date for ULFA talks

Goswami told The Indian Express that the NSA informed her today about the talks and said that the modalities would be worked out in the meantime. The writer, also a member of the 11-member PCG, which was constituted by ULFA to initiate dialogue with the Government, said that she appreciated the Centre8217;s sincere desire to solve the nearly three-decade old insurgency problem in the state.

8216;8216;I also appeal to ULFA to stop all violence, considering the Government8217;s sincerity to hold the talks. I hope the ULFA leadership, including Arabinda Rajkhowa and Paresh Baruah, will listen to my appeal since it is a very positive step taken by the Centre,8217;8217; she said.

She said that the issues to be discussed between the two were not as important as the dialogue itself. The main aim was to bring the ULFA on to the negotiating table with the Government. The rest would follow.

8216;8216;The PCG will sit and discuss the issues to be raised during the proposed talks soon,8217;8217; she said. After the first round of talks on October 26, last, the Prime Minister had said that he was 8216;8216;willing to discuss all issues bothering the people in Assam.8217;8217;

Arup Borbora, a member of the 11-member PCG, had said that it was agreed at the meeting that the nearly three-decade long conflict 8216;8216;could be resolved through political negotiations and peace dialogue.8217;8217;