New Delhi, February 7
Giving a new focus to the ongoing efforts to bring the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to the negotiation table, the Centre today agreed to initiate a few confidence building measures in collaboration with the state government in the insurgency-affected Assam.
It was agreed to examine a series of confidence building measures with regard to instances of human rights violation and examine the issue of release of certain detainess “in consultation” with the Assam Government.
In the second round of talks between the government and the 11-member People’s Consultative Group (PCG), appointed by ULFA, held this evening in the presence of National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Home Secretary V.K. Duggal, several options to end insurgency in Assam, which is slated to go to the polls in a few month’s time, were discussed.
After the two-hour-long meeting, Home Secretary Duggal and PCG spokesperson Aroop Borbora described the talks as “frank, constructive and positive”. Both sides agreed to have another round of talks with the PCG “as early as possible before the commencement of talks with ULFA and to listen to all their concerns”.
Asked if counter-insurgency measures would be stopped in the light of today’s talks, Mr Duggal said creation of a conducive environment for a dialogue was a prerequisite.
“Both sides agreed that maintenance of peaceful atmosphere in the state to create a conducive environment for a dialogue is a prerequisite and agreed to work towards creating such an environment,” the joint statement said.
— UNI
