Govt, ULFA can’t agree on agenda, no talks now

A dialogue between the Centre and the ULFA, it appears, is unlikely to happen in the near future. This despite a reply by the outfit to a Central invite. On Monday, National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan conveyed to Indira Goswami, mediating for the outfit, that the Centre has decide not to invite a ‘‘ULFA delegation to the negotiating table immediately’’.

It is understood that the Centre has said it cannot start talks with the ULFA if ‘‘sovereignty’’ was the only agenda. It is willing to enter into a dialogue if other issues are also discussed, Goswami said. ‘‘I will request the NSA to write a letter to the ULFA, if that is not possible I will wait for ULFA to contact me and I will convey the Centre’s decision,’’ she said.

While the Centre feels inclusion of ‘‘sovereignty’’ is mere public posturing that arises from ULFA’s need to address its dwindling constituency, the Government cannot been seen discussing sovereignty with an insurgent group.

‘AP talks with Naxals to start soon’

NEW DELHI: Marking a shift in AP government’s policy, the second round of talks between the state and Naxalites would start soon, minus the militants giving up arms. Disclosing this on Tuesday, AICC general general secretary Digvijay Singh said the state has decided not to insist upon the issue of laying down arms. —ENS