A total end to military operations against the ULFA and the Centre’s willingness to discuss ‘‘core issues’’ are top priorities for the 11-member People’s Consultative Group (PCG) that will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow. The PCG was nominated by the ULFA to fix the modalities of the peace talks between the government and the outlawed militant organisation.Speaking to reporters, PCG member Arun Barbora said that the group would be meeting the Prime Minister with an ‘‘open mind’’. ‘‘The government will naturally want to know our mind and we would also want to understand what the government is thinking,” he said. “The issue is 27 years old and ULFA wants a dignified solution to Assam’s strife through a political dialogue.’’He added, ‘‘Our job is to frame the basic structure for a dialogue between the conflicting parties and resolve the issue amicably. We will also try to remove all hurdles coming in the way of direct talks between them and try make them fruitful.’’This is the first time in over a decade that the Centre is engaging the ULFA in talks. The earlier peace initiative failed when key ULFA negotiators Arabinda Rajkhowa and Anup Chetia slipped away to Bangladesh leaving beind an embarrassed Centre and a peace process that was all but dead. The duo have since been operating from within Bangladesh along with Paresh Baruah, ULFA’s supreme commander. Barbora said the fact that civil society of Assam had been involved in the current peace process indicated ULFA’s seriousness. He said the PCG was only concerned about ‘‘bringing the two sides to the negotiation table’’. He refrained from giving any timeframe within which the ULFA and Centre would start negotiations. ‘‘No time should be wasted. At the same time, it also depends on several factors,’’ Barbora said. He said the PCG “will discuss things as they come. We are not anticipating anything’’.The ULFA formally responded to the Centre’s invitation for peace talks only after the Army suspended its operation in the forests of Tinsukia. On its part, the ULFA claimed it had suspended its own operations because of the peace process.Road to talks• Dec 6, 2004: PM urges ULFA to give up violence, go for talks• Sept 7, 2005: Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami informs Centre that ULFA is ready for a dialogue. ULFA announces 11-member People’s Consultative Group that will meet Central negotiators. Goswami to be main interoluctor• Oct 21, 2005: Centre formally sends invitation to People’s Consultative Group for talks in Delhi
