Tripura CM wants restart of Ulfa talks (Attn Guwahati)

Agartala, Sep 29 (UNI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has stressed the need to restart peace talks between the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the Centre for a solution to the problem once and for all.

Talking to reporters last night, the Chief Minister said any kind of problems could be solved through dialogue and it was not right to give up discussions.

The Army first declared a ceasefire which was accepted by the Asom militant outfit. However, the ultras resorted to killing in the state forcing the armed forces to launch an offensive against them.

On asked why the number of militant camps had reduced in Bangladesh, the chief minister said a large number of rebels belonging to National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) have querendered and returned to normal life.

Earlier, the number of rebel camps in Bangladesh was 56, it has now come down to 26, he said.

Most of the camps where the militants undergo arms training are situated in Moulovai Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts areas, close to the Indian border with Tripura, Mr Sarkar alleged and said that the strength of BSF in the International Border was insufficient.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio said that during the tenure of the present DGP G M Srivastava, the security forces achieved major success against the insurgents in this state and for this purpose the state government wanted to retain Mr Srivastava.

UNI PB KK LL BD1437