ULFA doublespeak on peace

attempt on the life of Mahanta, it has become evidently clear that the ULFA was not interested in coming forward for the discussions.

In fact, last Wednesday’s statement of the ULFA, which was the first ever since Prime Minister I K Gujral’s open invitation to the rebels to come for talks, was seen as a silver lining to a much sought-after solution to the vexed problem of insurgency which itself has entered its 18th year last April.

Official sources had expressed much optimism as well as enthusiasm when the ULFA committed itself to respond to the negotiations “within seven days of the government making its stand clear on the conditions.”

The three pre-conditions set by the ULFA were (a) talks be held in a foreign country (“third” country in ULFA language), (b) the Army operations be first called off, and (c) the talks be centred around “sovereignty” demand.

The two-page statement of ULFA, issued by its publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary had clearly stated that it would come out with a “positive” response “within one week of the government clarifying its stand” on its demands.

Chief Minister Mahanta was one of the first to hail the ULFA statement, and he on his part said his government was not averse to hold talks in a foreign country.

In fact, the Centre is already committed to hold talks in another country, going by the precedent it had set by beginning negotiations with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) faction headed by Issak Chishi Swu and T Muivah.

Enthused by the ULFA’s long sought-after “positive” attitude, Mahanta even organised a senior citizens meeting here last week, where the prominent citizens endorsed his view that the process of negotiations be initiated at the earliest, even if the venue is outside the country.

A section in the government, however, strongly believe that there is a sharp difference of opinion among the top leaders of the militant group for coming to the negotiations.

Even Mahanta had himself gone on record recently that several district-level leaders were willing to give up militancy, “but I do not want to repeat the mistakes committed by Hiteshwar Saikia” by splitting the ULFA, he had remarked.

Even in the past, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and commander-in-chief Paresh Barua were stated to have aired views which were contrary to each other about hammering out a solution to their demands.

Today’s attack on Mahanta meanwhile has evoked widespread condemnation in the State. All-Assam Students’ Union (AASU) president Sarbananda Sonowal and general secretary Samujjal Bhattacharyya have described the bomb attack as a cowardly act on the part of the ULFA.

“This is extreme cowardice and cannot help solving anybody’s problems,” said the AASU leaders, adding that such acts would only complicate the situation.

The Assam council of ministers too has unequivocally condemned the act, describing it as an act of desperation and cowardice.

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on its part has appealed to the ULFA leadership to see reason and come forward for a negotiated settlement. The ULFA, however, was yet to own responsibility to the powerful bomb blast which almost hit Mahanta while he was returning to the city from the airport after he arrived here from Delhi in the afternoon.