Assam to decide on ULFA talks: Chidambaram
By IANSWednesday, June 30, 2010
NEW DELHI - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said it was for the Assam government to decide on the peace talks with the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
“It is for the state government (to decide) when and in what manner the talks should be conducted,” Chidambaram told reporters.
Asked whether talks were feasible with many of the ULFA leaders behind bars, the home minister said: “People in jail can also talk.”
Barring ULFA’s elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, the entire top brass of the outfit is in jail.
The imprisoned leaders include chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, and ULFA political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.
The ULFA is waging a war for independence since 1979 and has always maintained that talks, if any, should revolve around their main demand of sovereignty for Assam.
