Advani rules out truce with NE ultras

NEW DELHI, March 7: Union Home Minister, L K Advani today set all speculations to rest by ruling out the possibility of the Centre announcing a unilateral ceasefire with all militant outfits including the ULFA in the Northeast. The Union Home Minister clarified the Centre's stand on the issue at the Rajya Sabha here this morning after several members belonging to the region urged him to unilaterally announce a ceasefire in the region. The views were along the same line as that of the three Northeast State Chief Ministers, including, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Radhabinod Koijam and Mukut Mithi, who separately urged the Centre to include all the insurgent outfits in the peace process. Advani, however, clarified that the prime reason for the Centre not unilaterally announcing a ceasefire is that the drives initiated by the neighbouring countries of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar against the Northeast based militants would slowdown once the Government of India announced such a ceasefire agreement. In respect of the countries surrounding the region, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar have been working hand in hand in suppressing the militants, though in their own way. "One of the reasons why the Government of India does not declare a unilateral ceasefire is that such an act would only make them feel that there is nothing for them to do," he argued. The Union Home Minister, drew a distinction between the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. In Kashmir the neighbouring country is abetting militancy that's why a unilateral ceasefire had to be announced, while in case of the Northeast the neighbouring countries are taking action against the militants. A question hour discussion regarding the situation in Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir that lasted for over 45 minutes today with several senior leadres - of the Upper House participating. The Union Home Minister's assertion, however, left the members belonging to the Northeast surprised, as it did not reflect his recent press statements, indicating that the Centre was not averse to the proposal for a unilateral ceasefire in the Northeast. Advani, meanwhile, said that informal discussions were on with the NSCN (K) faction and the Naga Federal Party and the Centre would be able to announce their inclusion in the peace process shortly. Advani also admitted that the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN(IM) has been violated by the Naga outfits and reports of extortions, forcible collection of money and kidnapping had have reached the Centre. While maintaining that security forces have been directed to look into such violation of the ground rules, he pointed out that the number of killings and murders have gone down, though other forms of violation are there. The Union Home Ministry, however, dismissed the allegation of secret killings in Assam and the growing rowdiness of the SULFA men in the State. The issue was raised by CPI MP Dhrupad Borgohain who alleged that a section of the police and the security forces using the surrendered ULFA men were indulging in secret killings. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Vidhya Sagar Rao however replied that there was no truth in such allegations. Joining issues with the CPI MP, Arun Kumar Sarma said that despite the militants having surrendered before the authorities they have not surrendered their weapons. They still have the weapons and are using them for extortions, killings and kidnappings, he added. Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Manmohan Singh wanted the Centre to specify what steps it was planning to take to involve all the parties in Nagaland with the peace process. He pointed out that unless the Nagaland government was involved with the peace initiative, fruitful results cannot be expected. In reply, Advani said he had recently visited the State and held discussions with the state government in this regard.