The National Democratic Front for Bodoland (NDFB) on Monday said it was willing to enter into peace talks only with the Centre, and not the Assam government.In an e-mail sent to a section of the media on Sunday, the ndfb’s spokesperson, S. Sanjarang, said: “We have declared a ceasefire to initiate talks with the Government of India and not with the government of Assam. How could the state government (Tarun Gogoi government) talk to the ndfb?” Assam CM Tarun Gogoi did not object to the NDFB’s demand. “It is fine for the outfit to negotiate with the Centre directly,” Gogoi told reporters. He, however, insisted that the ground rules for the parleys be worked out, and a representative be named by the ndfb, who could be contacted directly. This would avoid the communication gap between the government and the ndfb during negotiations. The NDFB, however, dismissed possibility of talks with Assam. Claiming it responded on October 15 to Gogoi’s truce offer of September 30, the ndfb said: “Instead of declaring a ceasefire, Gogoi is only talking about ground rules of ceasefire and wants us to send a representative to sign the agreement modalities at once. What can the Bodo people expect from the government of Assam?’’
