Talks with ULFA without sovereignty issue: Gogoi

GUWAHATI - The government was ready for peace talks with the outlawed United Liberation of Asom (ULFA) if it shunned violence and gave up the demand for sovereignty or independence, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Monday.

“Our doors for peace talks with the ULFA are open, but then they have to abjure violence and give up the demand of sovereignty,” the chief minister told journalists.

Gogoi also made a similar statement in the winter session of the Assam assembly that began here Monday.

“If they give up violence, we shall welcome them with open arms and if they continue with their armed struggle then we shall continue to be very tough,” he said.

This is the first formal statement after ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah were arrested Friday following their reported surrender before Indian authorities in Dawki, a border outpost in Meghalaya.

Rajkhowa’s personal bodyguard Raja Bora was also arrested. All three are in police remand.

Rajkhowa’s wife Kaveri, their two children, Baruah’s wife and one son, and the wife and child of self-styled ULFA foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury also surrendered on Friday.

“The family members of the ULFA leaders are free and there are no charges against the wives of the arrested militants. They are with the Assam Police and they are free to join their family members whenever they feel like,” Gogoi said.

The main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has alleged the government was not sincere in holding peace talks with the ULFA.

“There has been so much of confusion insofar as the arrest of Rajkhowa and Raju Baruah is concerned. It seems the government has no interest and sincerity in taking the peace talks forward,” AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary said.