Pro-talk ULFA rules out direct role in polls

Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, March 22 – The pro-talk group of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has called upon the people of the State to vote for the parties which can assure positive steps for the solution of the burning problems of Assam. However, the group has made it clear that it would not play any direct role in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. Talking to The Assam Tribune, one of the leaders of the pro-talk group, Jiten Dutta, said that the people should vote for the party, which promises to solve the burning problems including the problem of militancy and infiltration of foreign nationals. He said that as the Constitution of India does not provide for recalling a Member of Parliament (MP), who fails to deliver, the people should be careful in choosing their representatives.

Dutta pointed out that over the years, majority of the MPs from Assam failed to raise the issues concerning Assam forcefully on the floor of the Parliament. The MPs failed to impress upon the Government of India that the problem of militancy is not a law and order problem and it should be dealt with politically.

He said that the people should judge the policies of the political parties in matters of bringing permanent peace in the State through dialogues. He said that the people of the State should also seek assurance from the political parties to deal with the problem of infiltration of foreigners. The parties which promise to seal the international border with Bangladesh, keep the foreigners in detention camps till they are deported etc., should be supported, he added.

However, at the same time, Dutta asserted that the pro-talk group would not directly support any political party in the run-up to the polls. “We have already placed our charter of demands, demanding full autonomy to the State, before the Government of India. We will have to discuss these issues with whichever party comes to power and it will not be proper on our part to directly support any party at this hour,” he said.

Dutta lamented that though the pro-talk group submitted the charter of demands to the Centre, it is yet to receive any response from the Government. He said that at present more than 170 members have joined hands with the pro-talk group and the number would increase. The pro-talk group is expecting more and more members of the ULFA to come forward to join hands with it in the run-up to Bihu. Some members of the 709 and 27 battalions of the ULFA are expected to come forward in favour of talks soon, he added. He also expressed the view that more and more members of the ULFA would come forward in favour of talks if the Government starts the process of negotiations sincerely.

When asked whether the ULFA would either create trouble or come out in support of any political party in the polls, Dutta said, “the possibility of the ULFA members indulging in sabotage in some places cannot be ruled out. But at present, the ULFA does not have the mass contact to mobilize the public in favour of any political party as was done in the past.” ASSAM TRIBUNE