NEW DELHI, Oct 28 ? If the Government of India wants to hold negotiations with the outlawed ULFA then its leadership must be given safe passage. This was the opinion of the ?finance minister? of NSCN (Khaplang), Kughalu Mulatonu.
But what is even more significant is the confirmation by the Naga militant leader about the involvement of the Pakistan?s ISI in the North-East. The Government of India must first ensure that the Indo-Bangladesh border was sealed. ?If the Government of India wants to hold talks with ULFA then the border should be well protected,? he said.
The reason, he pointed out was the outfit?s unhindered supply of men and material from across the border. He stressed that to ensure their presence at the talks, the border has to be plugged. Though he declined to comment, ULFA?s Bangladesh link was in a way confirmation of the outfit?s nexus with ISI.
The NSCN (K) finance minister should know because around 300-400 of ULFA cadres are with them at bases in Myanmar. ?The ULFA cadres are under our protection and sheltered at the camps in Myanmar,? he admitted. Talking to this newspaper, Mulatonu stressed that the ULFA leaders must be given a chance to get together to decide on the Government?s offer for talks. The Government of India cannot expect positive response from the outfit through forceful tactics, he said.
Meanwhile, talks with the ULFA, if held with the Government of India may have the issue of sovereignty as one of the issues, said Dr Indira Goswami. The litterateur said that her appeal to the Prime Minister drafted according to the wishes of ULFA ?Commander-in-chief? Paresh Baruah mentions this. Though the talks would be unconditional, the issue of sovereignty considered by the outfit as the core issue could be part of the discussion. ?What is the harm in listening to what the ULFA has to say. After all, talking about the issue does not mean that the Prime Minister was giving sovereignty,? she argued.
Dr Goswami?s request for an appointment with the Prime Minister was expected to reach his South Block office today. The request for an appointment was sent on the advise of the Chief Minister, who has assured her all assistance in pursuing the matter. The Jnanpith Award winner, hopes to meet the Prime Minister when he comes to inaugurate the ?Golden Jubilee? celebration of the Sahitya Akademi on Saturday.