Govt should hold talks with ULFA: Sonowal

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 25 (UNI) Asom Gan a Parishad National General Secretary and MP Sarbananda Sonowal today said the government should renew its invilation for talks to ULFA ''if it is really-''concerned''-about the situation in Asom.'' Talking to mediapersons after having a holy dip in the Ganga, Mr Sonowal asked, ''if the government can invite seperatist leaders of Nagaland and Mizoram, why not ULFA.'' Mr Sonowal added,''the use of army in internal matter is not proper.''The army should be used for the security of the borders.'' Criticising the banned outfit's demand for a separate state.

Mr Sonowal urged ULFA to shun violance and return to the negotiation table.

He accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre of making 'fake' vows. ''The Asom pact which was signed during the Rajiv Gandhi's government at the Centre in 1985 has not yet been implemented. Instead of doing vote politics, UPA government should try to solve the issue.'' At present, the state is facing ''illegal influx'' of Bangladeshi nationals into India he said. ''These Bangladeshi people are grabbing our lands and damaging our political and cultural identity.

Presently, about 50 lakh Bangladeshi are residing in Asom alone,'' he claimed.

UNI