Peace Coming to NE India?

[Guest guest]

A major breakthrough on insurgency in Northeast India – ULFA ready to talk with

Indian Government Hanif Mohammed Oct. 4, 2005

India has reached a major breakthrough in the Northeast with ULFA the militant

organization of Assom willing to sit and talk peace with Indian Government.

According to media reports, a week after the Army called off operation against

the ULFA in Upper Assam's Dibru Saikhowa reserve forest, the banned militant

outfit has sent a letter to the Prime Minister's Office expressing its

readiness for talks with the Centre.

"A letter containing names and addresses of People's Consultative Group (PCG)

members was formally handed over to the PMO on Friday evening," noted Assamese

writer Indira Goswami, who has been mediating between the Centre and ULFA said.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa on September 8 nominated a 11-member group of

public representatives to initiate preliminary negotiations with the Centre.

Goswami and noted footballer of yesteryears Rebati Phukan would act as

facilitators for the talks with the Centre, Rajkowa had said.

However, Goswami declined to divulge details about the contents of the letter,

saying peace initiative has reached a "crucial stage" and "we all need to be

very careful".

PCG member Lachit Bordoloi said that the ULFA Chairman, in his letter, has said

the outfit was ready for talks prior to which PCG would hold preliminary

discussions to work out the process leading to formal declaration of ceasefire

by both sides.

He said the talks were expected to be held between October 18 and 22.

In a recent meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the PCG had said the

army action at the Dibru Saikhowa Park was "unjustified" and human rights of

villagers were violated.

The Army, however, continued to be deployed at the Park's entry point to ensure

that militants did not enter again. The villagers living in the Park had

alleged that they were "confined" by the army since ''Operation Red Rose''

began on August 31 against ULFA militants.

The PCG had sought intervention of President APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh against the alleged harassment of villagers.

http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/4837.asp