Centre ready for talks with Assam militant groups: Chidambaram

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The Centre on Monday said it was
ready to hold dialogue with two major insurgent groups in
Assam -- United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National
Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) -- even if the anti-talk
factions of the groups are opposed to it.
"Our offer to talk to ULFA remains. But we have not yet
got an offer to talk from those who have been apprehended.
(ULFA 'Commander-in-Chief') Paresh Baruah is not with us, we
do not think he is in India. Just because Paresh Baruah is out
of the country it does not mean that talks can be avoided
indefinitely," Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram told
reporters here.
He was replying to a question on whether the government
was planning to hold talks with militant groups in Assam.
"It is my sincere hope and appeal that those who have
come back to India, who have been apprehended, who are in
custody today... those leaders will come forward to hold talks
with the governments. If they come forward to hold talks, we
are prepared to hold talks," he said.
On a possible talks with Bodo rebel group NDFB, he said
even if the outfits chairman Ranjan Daimary does not come for
talks, they will happen.
"If Ranjan Daimary's group does not come for talks that
does not mean we will not go forward with the talks... Ranjan
Daimary is a fugitive from justice, if there is an opportunity
they will be apprehended," he said. PTI ACB
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