Ulfa leaders hold talks with Centre- was hopeful that the insurgency problem in Assam can be solved through an amendment in the Constitution 10/ 2/11

Ulfa leaders hold talks with Centre, meet Chidamabaram

PTI, Feb 10, 2011, 06.58pm IST


Union home minister P Chidambaram and a delegation of ULFA leaders led by its Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa (2nd L) at a meeting at North Block in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: For the first time, the Centre told held unconditional talks with the banned Ulfa and said it was "confident" of finding a "just and honourable solution" to the over three decade-old insurgency problem in Assam.

During the hour-long deliberations, it was decided that a seven-member group will be formed to discuss modalities of carrying forward the peace process. The group will have Joint Secretary (northeast) as its coordinator and comprise three Ulfa members and two representatives each of the state and Central governments.

The group will discuss about designated camps, surrender policy, deposit of arms and other nitty-gritty for maintaining peace in the state. The pro-talk group is unlikely to interfere if government launches operations against those members indulging in violence.

The eight-member Ulfa delegation led by 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa met home minister P Chidambaram before going into a full session with senior officials led by home secretary G K Pillai.

"As you are aware that they ( Ulfa ) have offered unconditional talks with government of India and government of Assam to find out a honourable and just solution to the issues raised by them.

"I welcome them. I assured them that the government of India and government of Assam will engage them in sincere and meaningful talks and I am confident that we will find a just and honourable solution," Chidambaram said.

"They called on me which is a courtesy call... These are very preliminary stages (of talks), you (media) should cooperate and they will feel confident which will help to find a solution through talks," he said.

This is the first time that such unconditional talks are being held in Ulfa 's 31-year-old history.

The meeting was also attended by Assam chief secretary N K Das, additional DGP Khagen Sharma, Assam home commissioner Jishnu Barua, Centre's interlocutor P C Haldar, secretary (Internal Security) U K Bansal and IB chief N Sandhu.

Apart from Rajkhowa, 'vice-chairman' Pradip Gogoi, 'political advisor' Bhimakanta Buragohain, 'foreign secretary' Sasha Choudhury, 'finance secretary' Chitrabon Hazarika, 'cultural secretary' Pranati Deka, 'publicity secretary' Mithinga Daimary and 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Barua participated in the talks.

Later addressing a crowded press conference, Choudhury said ULFA was hopeful that the insurgency problem in Assam can be solved through an amendment in the Constitution and made it clear that it will not participate in the forthcoming polls.