GUWAHATI, June 16 – The proscribed ULFA has shown the “first signs” of coming to the negotiation table to solve the vexed insurgency problem in the State, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said here today, reports PTI. “Somebody (ULFA leader) has come forward. It is a good sign and we are hopeful of a new beginning,” Gogoi told PTI in an interview.
“We have been always asking them (ULFA) to come for talks and it is a very positive sign that they have responded,” Gogoi said. Without identifying the ULFA leader who he said has “come forward for talks,” the Chief Minister said, “at least let there be a beginning and then we will sort out the entire process of talks.”
Gogoi revealed that he had talks in this regard with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and a host of Central leaders and “they are also very hopeful of a solution.”
“For the first time a proper environment is being created for the parleys and we welcome the initiatives of the prominent personalities, including noted film director Jahnu Barua and Jnanpith awardee Mamoni Raisom Goswami for the talks.”
Asked what would be the response of his government to the ULFA's reported demand for holding the talks in a foreign country, he replied “let us first begin the negotiations, later on we can work out the details as and when required.”
As in the case of the talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok, Gogoi said, a similar possibility could also be explored for settling the ULFA issue. Observing that he saw a ray of hope for establishing permanent peace in Assam, the Chief Minister said initiatives for the talks could also be taken by New Delhi.