GUWAHATI, Jan 17 ? Vice-chairman of the banned ULFA, Pradip Gogoi today said the ongoing talks between the NSCN(I-M) and the Centre at New Delhi was a most welcome development which, if succeeds at finding an amicable settlement to the decades old Naga problem, would definitely encourage other militant groups of the North-east to come to the negotiating table with the Government. The senior ULFA leader who was produced at the TADA Court here today in connection with the case No. 1/98 and 43/2001 against him, however maintained that any lasting and peaceful solution of the Naga issue must have the consensus of all the parties involved. While giving due respect and weightage to the demands of the Nagas, it must be ensured that the interests of other groups of people do not suffer, he said, adding that a ?give and take? attitude was most essential to arrive at a consensus on the issue. ?We all want an amicable solution to the imbroglio but the outcome of the talks should not lead to the emergence of more issues,? he cautioned.
Asserting that the governments had more responsibility in creating a conducive atmosphere for talks, Gogoi said there was nothing wrong in sitting for talks with the ULFA on their pre-conditions like that the talks should be on sovereignty of Assam, because starting the negotiations on it does not mean granting of sovereignty. ?On the other hand, it would at least result in setting the process of talks on,? he said. All the militant groups in the region should be persuaded to start talks with the Government, he added. The ULFA vice-chairman also did not object to the idea of somebody who is acceptable to both the ULFA and the Government, being appointed as a mediator for talks. ?Offers to act as mediators from persons like Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Mamoni Roisom Goswami, etc, should be considered,? he said.
On the issue of the Bangladeshi infiltrators and the IMDT Act, Gogoi said it was now impossible to send back the Bangladeshis and hence efforts should be made to ensure that no more infiltration takes place. He also advocated granting of refugee or other special status to the Bangladeshi settlers as otherwise many of the Bangladeshis born on Indian soil would acquire Indian citizenship by birth. To check the influx of Bangladeshis, he said, development of border and char areas by providing the people there with education and health care facilities was as important as sealing the border.
Coming back to the Naga talks, Gogoi said it was the right time for the government to show its political will by clearing the grounds for talks with all the revolutionary groups. ?For all these years, doubts have been there in everyone?s mind as to whether the Government was really keen on having dialogues with the groups as the Government all along wanted to keep alive the problem of insurgency to divert other burning issues,? he said and added, ?now let the Government assert its political will by inviting other groups for talks as well.?