'ULFA-Govt disc vague, Asom inseparable from India'

Guwahati, Jan 19: The Assam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) today assertedthat Asom was an inseparable part of India and that the demands of'sovereignty' were misplaced adding that the peace parleys between theCentre and ULFA were 'vague discussions'.

Addressing a press meet here, ASS president Kanaksen Deka said, ''ULFA wants to talk on sovereignty, but no one, not even the PrimeMinister, his Cabinet or the Parliament, can grant them sovereignty.''He pointed out that the Constitution had no provisions for secessionand it would have to be scrapped if the government would even agree totalk about sovereignty.

Citing examples of the historical ties between the North East andmainland India during the freedom struggle of the country, he said thepeople want to be a part of India voluntarily.

Mr Deka dismissed the possibility of a mass vote to gauge popularsentiments in the state for continuing as a member state of the Unionof India as there were no such provisions in the Constitution.

He asserted that all issues should be addressed in a democraticmanner and the Centre be approached for more incentives for a speedydevelopment of the region, instead of opting violent ways.

He also urged the Hindi-speaking and other linguistic minoritypeople of the state not to flee in wake of the ULFA threat againstthem.

''We will do our best to protect them. We will call on thegovernment to ensure safety and security of all people, ''he said Theveteran litterateur pointed towards the vulnerability of Assamesepeople living in other parts of the country facing similar threats.

He also announced of massive programmes to mobilise people's support against the escalating violence.

He said, ''People are getting fed up of the violence. There is nosecurity of life.'' He also urged the government to ensure the smoothconduct of the forthcoming National Games in February as it was matterof pride for the state.

UNI

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