12 political parties meet Kalam, Patil, demand talks with ULFA

Special Report Vol. 3 Issue No. 17

January 1 -15, 2007

A delegation of members of 12 political parties from Assam urged the Centre to hold direct talks with the ULFA for finding a solution to the insurgency problem in the state.

The political parties, led by former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, met President A P J Abdul Kalam and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and apprised them of the prevailing situation in the northeastern state and the necessity of bringing peace there. "We urged the President and the Home Minister to hold direct talks with ULFA for finding a lasting solution to the problem," Mahanta told reporters.

Making it clear that the parties condemned all kinds of violence, Mahanta said the talks should be held without any pre-condition. Asked whether he favours President`s rule in Assam in the wake of, what he alleged, failure of the Congress-led government to maintain law and order, he said "It is for the central government to take a decision since they have all intelligence inputs". He also demanded an all-party meeting on ULFA issue.

Denouncing Chinese ambassador Sun Yuxi`s statement that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory, Mahanta said the parties demanded strengthening of security along international borders in the eastern sector.

Apart from Mahanta`s AGP-Progressive, other parties that were part of the delegation included NCP, AUDF, JD-U, RSP, CPI-ML and PLP.

Meanwhile, The Centre is ready to hold direct talks with the ULFA for finding a solution to the insurgency problem in Assam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told former Assam Chief Minister P K Mahanta.

"ULFA seems to be in the grip of ISI. As and when they come out of it, the Government is ready (for the talks)," he quoted Singh as having told the delegation.

The Government held three rounds of talks with the ULFA nominated People's Consultative Group and also had declared ceasefire for a brief period in August-September.

However, the ceasefire was withdrawn following violence perpetrated by ULFA.

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