COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

ULFA contacts army for talks

Mrinal Talukdar in Guwahati

The United Liberation Front of Asom has contacted the army for negotiations, Lt Gen D B Shekatkar, general officer commanding-in-chief, 4th Corps, said today.

The general, who is also head of the unified command structure set up to combat the insurgents, said a top leader of the separatist organisation contacted him on Wednesday.

"I must not name him at the moment, but I can assure that if ULFA takes one step towards negotiation, then we will take four in the same line," Lt Gen Shekatkar said.

On Monday, Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had told reporters that insurgent outfits in the state are trying to talk directly to the Centre. He however, had not named the outfits.

The army commander today said he was aware of ULFA's direct contact with New Delhi, but thought the idea of a unilateral ceasefire "too premature" at the moment.

"Let's not go into saying that we have captured so many insurgents. The people of Assam now want peace and the army will do everything possible for making a conducive atmosphere," he said.

He said he was ready to suspend operations in some areas if the insurgents offered to do likewise. "I have no problem in declaring suspension of operations once ULFA declares its suspension in particular areas. But as far as the whole of Assam and unilateral ceasefire is concerned, not only is a decision to be taken at a higher level, but I also admit that the situation is too premature to declare a ceasefire," he said.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report