PCG pulls out of peace process

Guwahati, Sep 27 (UNI) The Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) today pulled out of the peace process blaming the Centre for derailing the entire exercise to bring ULFA to the negotiating table.

The ULFA nominated PCG members collectively came forward saying that though PCG would remain and keep contact with the common people ''but would no longer be a part of the peace process.'' Addressing a joint press conference, PCG member Arup Borbora alleged that the Centre had shown complete disregard towards the entire peace process.

Another PCG member Lachit Bordoloi said the Centre could have carried forward the peace process easily, if the five top jailed ULFA leaders, whose presence are needed for the crucial central executive to take the final decision for peace talk by the ULFA, were released.

The Centre toughened its stand insisting on a letter from the ULFA before the release, which the militant organization did not give and the Government too did not relent.

''People of Asom will never forget the insult. The Centre has once again proved that it does not value the aspirations of the ordinary people,'' said Mr. Lachit Bordoloi.

The PCG has of late been sidelined as the Centre was talking directly to Mr Rebatoi Phukan and Mrs Mamoni Roysom Goswami relegating the nine member PCG to sideline.

The PCG was formulated last year to gauge the mood of the people by the ULFA and to create the ambience for a talk in consultation with the common people.

The PCG had three rounds of meeting of which the Prime Minister chaired the first one. The third round talk of July 22 gave the maximum hope with both the Centre and the PCG agreeing for starting of the direct talk with the ULFA and the release of the jailed ULFA leaders.

But after that for mysterious reasons ULFA and Government toughened its stand with PCG getting sandwiched between them. ''We have almost succeeded. The Governor Lt. Gen. Ajay Sinha is scuttling the peace process'' said PCG member Haidar Hussain.

With the PCG out, the hope of peace in Asom gas also reduced substantially with no group is likely to come forward to do another round of diplomacy to end the violence once and for all.

UNI MT KK AB 1634