Talks with ULFA leaders soon, says Chidambaram

Home minister P Chidambaram today said ULFA leaders had expressed willingness to resume peace talks and they have been advised to prepare a document based on which dialogue with the government would take place soon.

"ULFA leaders met Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi and prime minister and expressed willingness to resume peace
talks. We advised them to prepare a document on the basis of which talks would start soon to reach an honourable solution to the problem," Chidamabaram told reporters here.

Asked if 'commander-in-chief' of ULFA, Paresh Barua would join the talks, Chidambaram said, "He is not in India. We will start talks with Mr Rajkhowa and his friends. Paresh Barua should come back to India for the talks."

He said that insurgents of Tripura were still using Bangladesh soil, though peace prevailed in the state. "I also appeal to them to start talks either with the state government or the Centre."

On dialogue with the NSCN(IM), the home minister said talks were in progress with the Naga insurgent group.

"The peace talks which were initiated on foreign soil, is now taking place in the country. We are hopeful of an hnourable solution."

Talking about Bangladesh, he said, "We have developed a splendid relation with the Bangladesh government."