ULFA refuses to send letter to Centre asking for talks

Guwahati, Sep 22 (UNI) The ULFA has refused to give any letter to the Centre expressing its desire to hold talks, throwing the future of the peace process into uncertainty.

The organisation's commander Paresh Barua said that they would never issue any letter as sought by the Centre, expressing willingness to talk.

''We simply cannot decide unless we have the full central executive meeting and that can be done only with the release of the jailed leaders. We only want what had been assured by the Centre in the last PCG level meeting,'' he said.

His tough stand has come as a setback to the efforts of activists Dr Indira Goswami and Mr Reboti Phukan who were trying to resurrect the talks.

Both Mr Phukan and Dr Goswami were not forthcoming when contacted but expressed concern that things were not moving in the right direction.

Technically the ceasefire expired on Wednesday night, but the ' security forces have not recommenced any operations. ''But they will not wait more as extortion activities of the organisation are going on in full swing,'' a senior official source said.

The security agencies are of the opinion that ULFA has been given enough time to seek peace. ''It seems the ULFA is not at all serious. They are into extortion. Extortion notes have already been served. If we go for renewed operations, people of Asom will not blame us,'' said a senior counter insurgency specialist.

UNI MT PL VD HT1822