Tripura CM wants restart of Ulfa talks(Attn Guwahati)

Agartala, Sep 29 (UNI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has stressed on restoration of peace talks between the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and the Union Government to solve the problem for once and all.

Talking to reporters last night on the eve of the four day Durga Puja festival, the Chief Minister said any kind of crucial problems could be solved through dialogues and it was not right to give up the path of discussions, he commented over the postponement of the talks between the ULFA and Union Government recently.

The Army first declared the cease fire which was accepted by the Asom militant outfit. But the ultras resorted to killing in the state forcing the armed forces to launch offensive action against them. The mediators who tried to create an atmosphere for talks had also retreated from this, Mr Sarkar added.

Asked why the number of militant camps had reduced in Bangladesh, the CM said a large number of rebels belonging to National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and all Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) left the insurgency path and returned to normal life.

Though a few years back the number of rebel camps in Bangladesh was 56, it has now come down to 26 because of various reasons,he said.

Most of the camps where the militants undergoes arms training are situated in Moulovai Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts areas close to the Indian border with Tripura, Mr Sarkar alleged and added that the strength of BSF in the Internation Border was insufficient compared to its requirement.

The Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio said that during the tenure of 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.

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