Govt for talks with ULFA, but rules out 'sovereignty'

New Delhi, Dec 6 (PTI) The Indian Government Sunday said
it is ready to hold peace talks with United Liberation Front
of Assam (ULFA) but ruled out any discussion on the basis of a
demand voiced by a section of the banned militant outfit for
"sovereignty" for India's northeastern state of Assam.

Sources said the ULFA was speaking in different voices on
the prospect of talks with the Government. The sources,
however, noted that ULFA Chairman, Arbinda Rajkhowa, now in
custody of Indian authorities, is the chief of the civilian
side.
There is no question of any discussion on the basis of
"sovereignty" for Assam, the sources said.
Paresh Barua, the elusive commander-in-chief of ULFA said
Saturday that there was no confusion in the minds of the ULFA
cadres who want "sovereignty" for Assam to be discussed in any
dialogue, while denying a split in the organisation.
"We are ready for it (talks) provided sovereignty for
Assam is discussed," Barua, who is known to be against talks,
said, asserting "we have full confidence in Chairman Arabinda
Rajkhowa."
Sources noted that the ULFA emissaries were in touch with
the Indian Government but there was a break in the past year
or so.
Sources say countries like Bangladesh were much more
responsive now to Indian requests to deal with the presence of
ULFA elements in their territory. PTI GSN
ANU


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