Govt willing to have talks with ULFA

As many as 115 cases of Border Security Force personnel involved in smuggling on the Indo-Bangla borders have come to the notice of the government and it was taking strict disciplinary actions against those found guilty after enquiry, Minister of State for Home S Reghupathy told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

He also threw light upon reports of United Liberation Front of Asom owning hotels in Bangladesh.

Disclosing this, Reghupathy said in a written reply that several steps including round-the-clock surveillance of the border by patrolling, conduct of special operations, upgradation of intelligence network and erection of border fencing have been undertaken. 

He said the government has no specific report to suggest existence of hotels and bank accounts of ULFA in Bangladesh.

However, reports indicate existence of Indian Insurgent Groups camps in Bangladesh territory.

To another question, Reghupathy said government has received appeals for peace talks with ULFA, which indicate the willingness of the organisation to hold talks with the government, but there has been no change in the pre-condition for holding talks, namely, their 'core demand' of sovereignty.

In reply to the ULFA appeal, he said it has been reiterated that Government of India is willing to talk to all groups, which were prepared to abjure the path of violence, but without preconditions.