GUWAHATI, Jan 4 — The State government under leadership of the Chief Minister, Sri Tarun Gogoi will continue its efforts to facilitate negotiation with the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to find an amicable solution to the insurgency problem in the state. During an informal chat with a few journalists after the foundation laying ceremony of K D Malaviya National Museum here on Thursday, the Chief Minister Sri Gogoi stated that his government had remained undeterred in its efforts to bring ULFA leadership to negotiation table despite the latter’s ‘no’ to the safe passage offer made to ULFA militants by the Chief Minister on the New Year day. The Chief Minister on January 1 sent a message to the ULFA through the media that the government was ready to offer safe passage to ULFA ultras if they wished to meet their families in the state during the New Year.
However, the self-styled commander-in chief of the ULFA, Paresh Baruah rejected the offer through statement in the media and called upon the Chief Minister to mount pressure on the government of India to hold talks with the militant outfit. It may be mentioned that earlier on three occasions the government of Assam had offered safe passage to ULFA militants paving way for their meeting with family members. Many cadres and middle-level leaders of the outfit had availed of the opportunities at least in two occasions to be with their near and dear ones after a long time. These safe passage offeres also paid back to the government in the way of change of heart among a large number of ULFA cadres who chose to turn dove by leaving the path of violence. However, it was not enough to change the heart of the ‘hardcore’ top brass of the militant outfit as they continued to ignore peace initiatives from the state government. They have been insisting on talks only with the Centre on certain conditions.