ULFA asks for result oriented 'meaningful' talks

Guwahati, Jun 18: The ULFA today reassured that they are for negotiated settlement and the talk should be result oriented but Centre has decided to go tough and not to release detailed ULFA leaders.

The ULFA e-mailed their monthly mouthpiece ''Freedom'', which talked mostly on the reconciliatory tone said in the editorial ''let talks produce results''.

''We would like to assure our people that resolution of the issue is possible with dialogue. The process of dialogue has been talk-oriented not result-oriented, '' the newsletter said.

But the Government is unmoved and according to senior officials sources, both Defence Ministry and Home Ministry have opposed the released of the ULFA detainees, specially after such a series of bombings.

In fact, the June 22 may be last meeting between the Union Government and the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) as the former is favouring a direct talk with the ULFA.

''We have also seen that at least two PCG members are acting openly on behalf of the ULFA. This is not acceptable to us. They are supposed to be member of the civil society formed to create an ambience for a direct talk. They are behaving like ULFA, '' said the top level source.

Both the Centre and the state government are particularly angry at the barrage of bombing after the announcement of the talk date with PCG. '' Is it not a pressure tactics? What do they think that we will sit tight fearing them? The government has a constitutional obligation to protect its citizen come what may, '' said the source who attended Friday's crucial meeting between Asom Government and Centre.

This is the line even the state government is also prescribing. ULFA has been fast loosing sympathy with the Central Government, with Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi also echoing the Centre's line of thinking. '' How can such violent incidents go on when a peace process is being initiated, '' he said. Talking to the reporter at New Delhi from his hospital bed.

He is returning to Guwahati tomorrow. He has been away from the state for nearly a month. He has gone on an official trip to abroad and then health related problem needing him to get admission in AIIMS.

Confirming the decision not to release the ULFA leaders, the sources said the spate of bomb blast has forced the Centre to toughen the stand. The MHA decision is being conveyed to National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, who had been acting as points-man for the Centre in the ULFA peace process.

Sources said that recent incidents of violence have cast a doubt whether ULFA was serious was the peace process, forcing the Centre to restrain itself. The army and section with the Centre had been questioning ULFA motive suggesting that the peace may be a ploy to buy time to regroup.

As reported earlier, the violent incidents in the State forced the Home Ministry to convene a high-level meeting early this week to review the situation. The meeting attended by Union Home Secretary, V K Duggal, IB chief and NSA after considering all aspects, however, decided to go ahead with the talks with PCG on June 22.

The ULFA is asking for the release of six of its top leaders, including commander of the 28th battalion, Mrinal Hazarika, now in police custody. Those whose release has been sought included Bhim Kanta Burahohain, vice-president, Pradip Gogoi, Pranati Deka, Ramu Mech and Mithinga Daimari.

UNI