Assam CM blames neighbouring nations for jehadi activities

Assam’s neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh, are encouraging insurgency and jehadi activities in the State, where a “third force” with suspected naxalite links is working behind the growing Adivasi uprising, says Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. On the see-saw peace process with the ULFA, the Chief Minister expressed his Government’s readiness to hold talks with the insurgents provided they dropped the sovereignty condition.

“We are not putting up conditions. It is the ULFA which is placing conditions. We are ready for talks within the framework of the Constitution,” he said.

Expressing concern over the growing jehadi activities in the region, Gogoi said that “Assam is surrounded by different countries and they are encouraging all sorts of activities. Even jehadis are there. I don’t say the countries are directly involved. But elements are there and they are not dealing with these elements firmly.”

“They (countries) are not flushing out these elements. Even the Centre has not received as much response as was expected from the neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh, I can say,” Gogoi said.

“These problems definitely go on if these countries give shelter to the ultras. It is very difficult to root them out as their bases are there,” he asserted.

On whether a “third force” was behind the growing Adivasi uprise in the State, Gogoi said, “Definitely there is. I do suspect the Naxalites from Jharkhand even though I don’t have concrete proof.

“I have seen they (Adivasis) have established links in Jharkhand and have gone there also. That is why there is suspicion. If there problem in Assam, it should be solved here,” Gogoi said.

Asked whether a flexible approach is the right way to solve the ULFA problem, he said, “Everybody knows it has to be solved within the framework of the Constitution. The Centre is prepared to hold discussions with the group but the sovereignty issue has to be dropped. That is the main thing.

“Even for other insurgent groups as in the case of NSCN (both IM and K factions), the erstwhile Mizo National Front, the government talked with them within the parameters of the constitution. Definitely the same principle will apply to ULFA or other militant groups,” he said.

“Let them withdraw the issue of sovereignty and we may sympathetically consider releasing these five people,” he said.

“If they (the five members) come for talks, we don’t mind releasing them. They never said they will come for talks, only Mamoni (talks facilitator Indira Mamoni Roisam Goswami) said. The ULFA never conveyed to me that these arrested people will come for talks,” Gogoi said.

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