Former chief of the Intelligence Bureau P C Haldar will be the interlocutor between the government and the proscribed United Liberation Front of Assam if a peace process is initiated with the outfit, given the positive signals emanating from its ranks.
Haldar was earlier appointed as an interlocutor for the on-going peace process with tribal militant outfits in the State including Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Garlosa) or Black Widow, the DHD (Nunisa), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, the United People's Democratic Solidarity and the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front.
The Assam chief minister's office informed that Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had on Wednesday informed chief minister Tarun Gogoi about it.
Gogoi met Chidambaram in New Delhi to apprise him about the progress so far made in the efforts to bring the ULFA leaders to negotiation table and discuss modalities for peace process with the outfit as a large section of ULFA leaders especially those top leader who are now lodged in jail have shown interests to hold dialogue with the government.
Gogoi informed the home minister that the efforts to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table was progressing in the right direction.
Gogoi had earlier announced that talks with the ULFA could take place even if its fugitive commander-in-chief Paresh Barua did not come forward.
He also announced that emissaries from the government would meet top ULFA leaders in jail to get their view on the peace process.
The ULFA commander in chief has opposed any peace talks with the government of India under the provisions of Constitution of India and unless the ULFA's core demand for sovereignty was on the agenda.
The ULFA, which was formed in 1979, launched an armed struggle demanding 'sovereignty for Assam'. The outfit was put on the back foot because of recent arrest of its top leaders including the chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa in Bangladesh.
ANI adds:
Gogoi has said his government would not wait indefinitely to hold talks with the United Liberation Front of Assam.
"Our idea is to involve everybody but we have made it very clear we won't wait indefinitely, even for Paresh Baruah (commander-in-chief of ULFA) also. Even if he doesn't come for talks, we'll go for talks with the rest, but at the same time, we want that majority should come forward," Gogoi told journalists after his meeting with Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday.
Gogoi said they would consider the demands of rebel groups only if they fall within the ambit of the Constitution of India.
He said the home ministry is in favour of the state's decision, and has let the provincial government have the final say on the matter.
"He (Chidambaram) has agreed. In fact, he has assured me full support or extend whatever the possible, all possible help in this process, even for bringing (to) the negotiation table other matters.
''We are 100 percent with you also," said Gogoi.
