June 22 talks may lead to direct negotiations with ULFA

New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) The third round of talks between the Centre and the ULFA interlocutors here on June 22 is expected to pave the way for direct negotiations with the predominant outlawed organisation in Asom.

The 11-member group of interlocutors called the People's Consultative Group(PCG) has already had two rounds of talks with the Centre in October 2005 and February 2006. While the first round was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the second was held under the leadership of National Security Advisor M K Narayanan.

The June 22 meeting would be chaired by Home Minister Shivraj Patil amid expectation that it would succeed in sorting out some of the important issues, including the release of five prominent ULFA leaders from prison.

The effort of the peace emissaries would be to bring the ULFA face-to-face with the government so that they could resolve other outstanding issues through direct talks.

The ULFA has been fighting for an independent homeland of Asom since the late 70s. More than 12,000 people have been killed during insurgency in the state.

Official sources said the meeting would strive to put in place a bilateral ceasefire agreement, marking the beginning of direct negotiations with the ULFA leadership.

"The forthcoming talks would be crucial as it seeks to discuss many important issues that could ultimately lead to direct negotiations between the rebel leadership and the Centre," according to Assamese writer Indira Goswami, one of the PCG members.

ULFA has recently demanded release of five of its prominent leaders who have been languishing in jails. This crucial issue would figure at the meeting.

As a prelude to the meeting, some of the members of the PCG would meet Mr Narayanan.

UNI SH AK KN1703