NEW DELHI, March 10 — The Central government is not moved by the spurt of attacks unleashed by outlawed ULFA with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani ruling out any possibility of talks in the near future with the outfit. The Deputy Prime Minister’s statement was in keeping with the unstated policy of the Central government to isolate the militant outfit before engaging them in talks. Advani was talking to newsmen at the Raising Day of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here today.
The Central government is on the opinion that its two-pronged strategy of thrust on economic development and relentless counter insurgency operations would keep the militant outfits under constant pressure until they relent. In keeping with its policy of talking to all those who were willing to come for settlement within the framework of the Constitution, the Centre has opened dialogue with several outfits including factions of DHD and UPDS, both Karbi Anglong based underground outfits. However, so far the Centre is engaged in peace talks with NSCN (I-M), while an Accord was signed with the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT).
Meanwhile, Advani is unlikely to visit Kokrajhar to take part in the formal BLT surrender ceremony. The outfit is planning to formally lay down arms at a ceremony after constitution of the interim council of BTC.
Meanwhile, according to reports reaching here the ULFA may have launched a series of attacks in the State to boost its fund collections. The attacks may have to impress the business community to cough up funds, sources said.
Even before the attacks reports from the State was tickling in about the outfit launching massive fund collection drives in Upper and Lower Assam. Reportedly running low on funds, ULFA had served extortion notices on businessmen, tea and oil companies besides senior executives, sources revealed.
The attacks may have been launched to show that they still mean business. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs also concored with the analysis that ULFA may have struck to show that they are still a force to reackon with. However, officials said what was of concern was slackening of operations by Assam police against the outfit in the recent past. The complacency on part of the State police force proved dear with the militant outfit taking advantage of situation, sources said.