Date:09/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070955601500.htm

National

Gogoi sets terms for talks with militants

Sushanta Talukdar

Reports about ceasefire with ULFA Battalion denied
ULFA weak, with almost no support base

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday set five conditions for holding talks or declaring ceasefire with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) or other outfits.

The conditions are: talks will be held under the framework of the Constitution; cadres of the insurgent groups coming for talks will have to confine themselves to designated camps; arms will have to be surrendered before ceasefire; talks will be held directly without any intermediary groups or persons; and the militants will not be allowed to collect any ‘donations’ during the ceasefire period.

Mr. Gogoi told reporters that the State government’s experience had taught it to be cautious. He pointed out that there had been incidents of militant groups collecting donations and extorting money, moving around with arms and ammunition during the ceasefire.

“We have also decided to do away with intermediaries for starting peace talks with any underground group. And most importantly, any kind of discussion that these rebel groups want to initiate, must be within the purview of the Indian Constitution,” he said.

The Chief Minister denied media reports that the government had entered into any ceasefire with the ULFA’s 28th Battalion. He, however, said the government would welcome any individual or group of militants who want to shun violence and return to the mainstream.

He claimed that the ULFA had now little strength and almost no support base.