The underground outfit says that the present silence of its guns is aimed at creating an atmosphere conducive for talks.

North East News Agency

“The colonial rulers are quiet after the first round of talks. ULFA cannot sit idle...it is either resolution of the conflict or struggle,” the ULFA said in a statement published in its mouthpiece Freedom.

The outfit said that despite the expectations raised among the people in the wake of peace endeavour undertaken by the PCG, the Centre had remained silent after the first round of talks held between the PCG and Union Government in New Delhi.

This is the sign that banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) is getting increasingly restive over delay in starting the peace process.

However, in an effort to smooth the rough nerves, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that “if the ULFA comes forward for direct talks with the Government of India, we will be happy to provide safe passage to the ULFA leadership.” The Chief Minister further added that “ULFA has come a step forward in this endeavour and we would be happy to participate in the peace process with the ULFA anywhere — within India or abroad, if the outfit so desires.”

Earlier in a hard hitting statement the banned outfit issued a veiled warning that the present silence of its guns shouldn’t be taken for granted or be considered as its weakness. According to ULFA, the present silence of its guns were aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for talks and it was a response to the recent interests shown by the Government of India to find a political solution to this vexed problem.

Going a step further UlFA accused the Centre lacked political will to fulfill the ‘preconditions’ to facilitate the ‘main talks’ with the outfit for finding a political solution to “India-Assam” conflict. The underground outfit made it clear that it was peeved over lack of initiative from the Union Government of India to carry forward the peace process initiated by the ULFA-constituted People’s Consultative Group (PCG).

“Procrastination on part of the GOI reflects its insincerity in restoring lasting peace in Assam and tendency to use the peace initiative as propaganda stunt aimed at gaining political mileage during election in Assam. The people must know that UlFA can’t remain idle. For us, it is either resolution of the conflict or struggle. Break Silence! Is never possible for ULFA,” the Freedom said.

It may be mentioned here that ULFA, a rebel group fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, has put on hold its ‘struggle’ since October. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Oct 26 held the first round of peace talks in New Delhi with an 11-member team of civil society leaders nominated by the rebel group. Singh later said he was ready to discuss “all issues relating to the ULFA”. The ULFA designated 11-member People’s Consultative Group (PCG) held talks with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan singh to prepare the ground for a bilateral ceasefire and then direct talks between the rebel leadership and government peace negotiators at a later stage.

Amidst all the charges and counter charges, Jnanpith award winner Dr Mamoni Raisam Goswami, who has also been the facilitator of the peace process, expressed confidence that the process would reach its logical conclusion. “The yearning for peace is all-pervasive, everywhere in the State, the cry for peace is getting louder than ever before,” she said.

Dr Andrew Hall, British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India, said conflict has disfigured and destabilized significant parts of South Asia, depriving people of their livelihood, of their property, of their access to education and health care. “Conflict can provide havens for criminal and terror activity and can have a devastating impact on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people,” he said.

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