Let’s talk to Bodo rebels is Govt’s latest offer

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, after meeting Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today, said the Centre would participate and stand by the state government during the talks. He also supported Gogoi’s move to grant safe passage to NDFB leaders, so that their representatives ‘‘can come for talks’’.

‘‘The Assam Chief Minister told me that he had received an offer from NDFB and wanted to know if the Union Government would participate. We said carry on with the talks and we will stand by them. If it achieves success, the credit will go to the state but if there are difficulties, we will share them and the blame will be ours,’’ said Patil. However, the Home Minister warned that the peace talks offer should not be seen as a ‘‘softening of our stand’’. ‘‘We have already inducted more forces and taken whatever action necessary. But if they (NDFB) are willing to talk, should we say no?’’ he asked.

Patil and Gogoi also deliberated on various issues that could be taken up during the talks and the implementation of an earlier accord between the Assam government and Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT), which was signed by the previous NDA government. The Assam CM said representatives of the NDFB and his government would first do the ‘‘groundwork’’ for talks, after which the Centre may come into the picture.