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Journalism of Courage
It’s a small step taken by the ULFA towards the Centre, but it could be a giant leap for ushering in peace in the North-East. Noted Assamese writer and Jnanpith award winner Indira Mamoni Goswami today submitted a petition — which has ULFA leader Paresh Baruah’s approval — to the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor, M.K. Narayanan.
Goswami, who is likely to meet PM Manmohan Singh tomorrow, made it clear that the Centre should invite the ULFA leadership for talks, keeping in mind that the main topic should be sovereignty.
‘‘After all, the ULFA has been fighting for sovereignty for the past 25 years. I don’t think there is any harm in discussing the issue. While drafting the petition — ‘nivedan’ is what I call it — I spoke to many political analysts including Prof Manoranjan Mohanty. They all agreed that sovereignty could be discussed,’’ Goswami told The Indian Express.
Though the issue may just lead to a deadlock, sources say, that the ULFA has expressed its willingness to talk itself is encouraging. ‘‘So far, they have been insisting on conditions like third party mediation, talks in a third country and presence of UN observers. Now that they have agreed to talk to the Centre, dropping these conditions, it indicates some forward movement,’’ an official said.
However, it would be difficult for the Government to invite them for talks, as sovereignty is a sensitive issue, he added. The Government has so far not reacted to the ULFA’s offer, coming via Goswami. ‘‘I may be meeting the PM tomorrow. It is still tentative but I will definitely be meeting him soon,’’ she said.
Asked the names of the ULFA leaders who would be present for talks, Goswami said the modalities would be worked out once the Centre accepts the offer. She did not rule out the possibility of Baruah himself coming for the talks.
The writer said she has been in touch with Baruah quite regularly. ‘‘He called me up to congratulate me when I won the Jnanpith award, and since then, we have been in touch,’’ she said.
Goswami was all set to visit an ULFA camp in Bhutan to gather material for her book when the Royal Bhutan Army launched an operation against the insurgents. She had visited a rebel camp in Darang district 12 years ago.
‘‘At that time, they took my book, Rusted Sword, to distribute among the women cadre. The book is about migratory labourers in private companies. Probably, it is my writings which struck a chord and they chose me to talk to the Government on their behalf,’’ she added.
About the contents of the petition she submitted today, Goswami said it was mainly on the present condition of Assam — exodus of students to other states, unemployment and decline in industries.
‘‘Narayanan gave me a patient hearing and said the petition would reach the PM, who would most probably meet me tomorrow,’’ she said.
