Asom CM invites ULFA leaders to state

Guwahati, Jun 16 (UNI) Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today invited the ULFA leadership to the state, assuring he would recommend safe passage to the Centre for them.

He also urged chief peace negotiator Mamoni Raisom Goswami to meet the rebel leaders and persuade them to start negotiations instead of meeting only the Prime Minister and the government representatives.

Addressing a press meet here, Mr Gogoi said, ''The ULFA leaders cannot feel the pulse of the people from their safe sanctuary in Bangladesh. I invite them to live here for at least one month to gauge the mood.'' ''I will recommend their safe passage to the Centre,'' he added.

The chief minister expressed doubts about how an 'independent' Asom could survive, as was demanded by the ULFA, indicating that Bangladesh was pulling the strings in the outfit.

''I do not know how 'independent' Asom will survive without the control of some foreign country, which could be Bangladesh in all possibility,'' he said.

He underscored that the state had been a part of India always and there was an emotional bonding between the people.

Mr Gogoi further urged Dr Goswami to meet the ULFA leaders directly. ''Dr Goswami has met the Prime Minister many times. She should also meet Paresh Barua and Arabinda Rajkhowa and persuade them to start negotiations,'' he said.

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