Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, January 23:
After a gap of three months, Government will hold the second round of talks with the ULFA-chosen People's Consultative Group on February seven.
"National Security Advisor MK Narayanan informed me today that the talks with the PCG will be held on February seven and modalities for parleys will be decided later on," Indira Goswami, who has been mediating between the Centre and the banned outfit, told PTI here.
Goswami, also a member of the 11-member PCG, which was constituted by the ULFA to initiate dialogue with the Government, said she appreciated the Government's sincere desire to solve the nearly three decade old insurgency problem of the state.
"I also appeal ULFA to stop all kinds of violence considering Government's sincerity to hold the talks.
I hope ULFA leadership, including Arabinda Rajkhowa and Paresh Baruah, will listen to my appeal since it is a very positive step taken by the Centre," she said.
When asked about the issues to be discussed in the proposed talks, the Jnanpith Award winning writer said PCG's main aim was to bring the ULFA into the negotiating table with the Government.
"The PCG will sit and discuss the issues to be raised in the proposed talks soon," she said.
PTI Today's announcement and subsequent appeal by Goswami to the banned outfit to halt violence are significant considering the sudden increase in violence that has rocked Assam in the last three days.
Four policemen were injured when suspected ULFA militants attacked a security team in Dibrugarh district last night while several incidents of bomb and grenade blasts took place in different parts of the state since yesterday in which two people were killed and at least ten policemen injured.
On Saturday some oil installations were also targeted by the militants.
The first round of talks between the PCG and the Government was held here on October 26 which was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, NSA Narayanan besides others.
Singh had said that he was "willing to discuss all issues bothering the people in Assam." "I am willing to listen (to) whatever concerns that you (PCG) made.
I am a servant of our Constitution and you should recognise the complexity of our polity," Prime Minister's media advisor Sanjaya Baru had said after the meeting quoting the PM.
Arup Borbora, a member of the 11-member PCG, had said it was agreed at the meeting that the nearly three-decade long conflict "could be resolved through political negotiations and peace dialogue." Chief Minister Gogoi had said the Prime Minister was "not afraid" to discuss any issue but had to work within the framework of the Constitution.




