Advani rules out unilateral truce

GUWAHATI, February 5: Insurgency in Assam cannot be compared with that of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan's role in Kashmir was direct, said the Union Home Minister, L K Advani. Addressing a Press conference here today, Advani virtually ruled out the possibility of a unilateral ceasefire in Assam and said that all decisions in respect of Jammu and Kashmir are adopted taking into account the role of Pakistan. The Union Home Minister said that talks and violence cannot go together and the ULFA must abjure violence for talks. He said that the government of India is willing to hold unconditional talks with the militants on there grievances but for that the militants must stop killings. He said that so far neither the Central nor the state governments have received any direct communication from the ULFA for talks. Advani said that till recently, the ULFA, which was operating from foreign countries was not in a mood for talks with the government. "But of late, we have seen different kinds of reports and we have made our stand clear. It is now up to the ultras to take a decision regarding talks," he added. Replying to a question on whether the government was ready to talk on the demand for sovereignty, Advani said, "We have already made it clear that we are ready for talks without any pre-condition if the militants abjure violence. However, the government cannot contemplate any division of the country." He expressed the view that in the past few years, there had been serious erosion of the public support of the militants and that might be the reason for the recent attacks on the Hindi speaking people to show their presence felt. Advani said that the government of India has adopted a four - pronged strategy to deal with militancy. He said that the security forces have been advised to deal with violence and terrorism firmly. He said that the government has taken cognisance of the fact that some people might have strayed into the path of violence due to dissatisfaction and both the state and the Central governments must pursue the schemes of economic development vigorously. The government has also appealed to those who strayed into the path of violence to abjure violence and come forward to hold talks on their genuine grievances, he added. On the fourth strategy adopted by the government of India to tackle militancy, Advani revealed that in recent years, militancy in most parts of the country was promoted, boosted and financed by Pakistan. He said that the government's efforts to mobilise world opinion against state sponsored terrorism by Pakistan has yielded desired results as several countries including USA, UK, Israel and others have already supported India's stand. Commenting on the performances of the Assam government in dealing with militancy, Advani said that by and large, there had been considerable reduction of incidents of violence. However, at the same time, he admitted that the recent spate of killing of Hindi speaking people was very disturbing. He said that during the winter session of Parliament, members expressed concern over the killings and the Union Home Ministry, in consultation of the state government, devised on action plan to stop such killings. Ultra-politician nexus : The Union Home Minister revealed that the Central government was not contemplating any move to institute a probe into the alleged insurgent-politician nexus in the Northeastern states. He said that for instituting either a judicial or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged nexus, the recommendation has to come from the concerned state government. However, he admitted that the Home Ministry received a complaint from the Assam Chief Minister about Congress-ULFA links but no probe has been ordered in this regard. IMDT Act : The Home Minister admitted that the IMDT Act, which is applicable only in Assam, was discriminatory. He said that in all other states of the country, a foreigner can be deported under the provisions of the Foreigners Act but due to the IMDT Act, there were difficulties in detecting and deporting a foreigner from Assam. He said that the NDA government at the Centre could not repeal the Act due to the parliamentary arithmetic and now the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. Advani also said that a scheme for updating the National Register of Citizens and to provide multipurpose identity cards to Indian citizens has been prepared. NSCN talks : Regarding the demand by the NSCN(IM) to extend the area covered by the ceasefire agreement, Advani said, "The government of India has made it clear to the NSCN that the Centre would not arbitrarily take any decision in this regard without taking the views of the concerned state governments. The Home Minister also reviewed the law and order situation in Assam in a high level meeting with the Governor, Chief Minister, government and police officials.