'The central government will initiate the talks with the ULFA through an interlocutor by December. The Assam government will act as facilitator,' chief minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters in Delhi.
Peace talks with the proscribed ULFA to bring a lasting solution to Assam's vexed insurgency problem is expected to begin by December, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said today.
After an hour-long meeting with home minister P Chidambaram, Gogoi said the central and Assam governments have decided to give a "green signal" to start the much-awaited negotiations with the leadership of the banned group, ahead of next year's assembly elections in the state.
"The central government will initiate the talks with the ULFA through an interlocutor by December. The Assam government will act as facilitator," he told reporters in Delhi.
Asked whether ULFA's elusive 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah would take part in the parleys, he said the government wants his participation but cannot wait for an indefinite period.
"Despite our appeal, he did not respond yet. So, how long we will wait for him. Talks will go on," he said.
Gogoi said former Intelligence Bureau chief PC Haldar, who was appointed as interlocutor, would finalise the modalities of talks before initiating the peace process with ULFA leadership.
Most of the ULFA leaders, including the group's 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa, are currently in jail while Baruah is believed to be hiding in Myanmar.
Peace talks with ULFA are expected to give a major boost to Congress party, which has been ruling Assam for two consecutive term, to fight Assembly elections early next year.
Gogoi said he has requested the Central government to conduct assessment on the impact on Assam from the large hydro-electric projects being constructed in Arunachal Pradesh.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}