Mamoni to try to end ULFA talks stalemate

Guwahati, Aug 28: Peace mediator Mamoni Roisom Goswami will try to end the talks stalemate between the United Liberation Front of Asom(ULFA) and the Centre tomorrow even as ULFA seems to be reluctant to communicate the modalities in black and white as sought by the Centre.

The Centre has extended its suspension of Army operations against the banned outfit by 15 more days with effect from August 23 and asked the outfit to convey in writing the time, place and names of its representatives for the direct talks. The outfit has refused to accept the proposal and said the Centre should first implement the resolutions taken during the June 22 talks with the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) nominated by the outfit.

Earlier, ULFA Chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa made it clear that it had nothing to say on the Centre's new demand to communicate the modalities in black and white, except that it would like new Delhi to fulfil the assurance made in the last round of Centre-PCG talks on June 22.

The PCG is meeting here tomorrow to discuss among others the issue of release of jailed ULFA leaders.

''We would like the Centre to release the jailed ULFA leaders through a political decision. This will not only resolve the existing standoff but also reflect the Centre's sincerity in resolving the conflict politically. The ULFA leadership has already expressed its desire for direct talks,'' PCG coordinator Lachit Bordoloi said.

Ms Goswami, presently in Gujarat for a seminar on 'Ramayan Sahitya', is expected to return to Delhi tomorrow after which she would meet officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Besides release of ULFA leaders, she is likely to take up the matter of further extension of suspension of operations against the ULFA with the MHA, sources here said.

UNI