ULFA-TALKS 2 LAST

In 2005, the ULFA nominated a 11-member team called
People's Consultative Group (PCG) headed by Jnanpith-winning
author Indira Goswami, which held three rounds of talks with
National Security Adviser M K Narayanan in an attempt to bring
lasting peace to northeastern state of Assam.

However, that did not go anywhere as no ULFA leader was
involved in the peace process despite India Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh's announcement that he was willing to discuss
"all issues bothering" Assam, but within the framework of the
Constitution.
ULFA is now considered a weak force as almost its entire
top leadership is in jail and not in a position to bargain
with the government, sources said. And if at all any dialogue
starts, the ULFA cadres have to abjure violence and the group
has to give up its demand of sovereignty.
"We also want to ensure that the ULFA does not use the
opportunity of dialogue to strengthen the organisation as they
did in the past," a source said.
Besides, different cases were registered against all ULFA
leaders and all of them will first have to face the court. And
in case the government wants them to participate in any
possible future talks, it first has to take permission from
the appropriate court, the source said.
However, it is not clear whether any such dialogue with
ULFA would be fruitful as the outfit's military wing chief
Paresh Baruah is still at large and not interested in any
talks. PTI ACB
ANU


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