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ULFA rise against Advani's statement

Home Minister L K Advani's announcement that talks with insurgents on secession will not be entertained has punctured all possibilities of negotiations with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom.

The ULFA made it clear on Thursday night that it would never sit across the table if talks were to be held within the framework of the Constitution.

ULFA central committee publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary said Advani's statement had exposed the real intention and character of his government, and proved the Centre was not interested in solving the Assam problem.

ULFA would never compromise on the issue of Assam's sovereignty, he asserted.

The home minister, however, had offered to hold talks with the insurgents on their genuine grievances.

Advani had also pushed the ball into the state government's court, saying it was its responsibility to hold talks with the insurgents.

Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had time and again said his government was ready for discussions with insurgents within the framework of the Constitution -- but not on the issue of sovereignty.

The Communist Party of India, a constituent of the Asom Gana Parishad-led four-party government, had pleaded to suspend the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the state to make a congenial atmosphere for talks with the ULFA and other extremist groups.

UNI

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