Mamoni not saying the truth: Gogoi

Guwahati, Jan 10: Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today accused peace initiator Dr Indira Goswami of hiding the truth about her interaction with ULFA and criticised her stand regarding the peace process.

''Dr Goswami was specifically briefed by the Union Home Ministry as the ULFA top brass was biding time at the behest of the ISI of Pakistan. She knew about it but never came out with the truth,'' Mr Gogoi charged.

Dr Goswami, a Jnapith award winner, played the role of the peace initiator for the past two years and the People's Consultative Group was also formed.

''We insisted that direct talks should be held and we also announced that. But ULFA was not interested in direct talks.

We will release five ULFA leaders any day if they tell us that talks will be held directly with their top leaders,'' he added.

''Dr Goswmai knew exactly what was going on. But she chose to maintain silence and blame us for the failure of the peace process.

She refused to tell us everything,'' he said.

While talking to UNI last night, Dr Goswami said,''Talks failed because both the Centre and ULFA were not sincere''. She also mentioned that she found herself ''uncomfortable in the maze of diplomacy''.

''I am a writer and I only know that peace should return to Asom.

I did what I felt good and ULFA responded. But I think a fresh army operation will be a mistake,'' she said.

Mr Gogoi criticised Dr Goswami for her late reaction on the carnage.

''Despite all opposition from various quarters, a fresh army operation will be launched,'' he added.

UNI