Lok Sabha Debates
Need For Early Resumption Of Talks With Militant Outfits In Assam. on 30 November, 2006
an> Title: Need for early resumption of talks with militant outfits in Assam.
DR. ARUN KUMAR SARMA (LAKHIMPUR): Sir, through you I would like to draw the attention of the Government to a very deteriorating situation in Assam. Because of the break in the on-going talks with ULFA, both the Government machinery and the ULFA resorted to violent activities in which the innocent common people are the victims. Women and the children are the worst sufferers and the common people are sandwiched, on the one side from the ULFA activities - a series of bomb blasts which are taking place in Assam for the last two years – and on the other side because of the pressure of the Defence personnel the common people are harassed. The people have expectations from the Government. With the initiative of the Government of India, the initial talk with the PCG was very optimistic but the situation after the break down of talk has worsened.
Through you, I would request the Government to again resume the dialogue with ULFA sidelining the conditions which have been put through. Originally, the Government of India declared that it was ready for talks with ULFA without any pre-condition. But now they have put three or four conditions. The Government had agreed to consider favourably the request of ULFA for release of five ULFA detenues in consultation with the Government of Assam provided ULFA makes a formal approach to the Government of India and the Government of Assam for holding direct talks; nominates the delegation of these talks and indicates the time frame and abjures violence in all forms, including extortion notices etc. Sir, we agree that the Government is keen to find a solution of the problem through political dialogue but so far with these pre-conditions, no talks will be possible. Hence, I appeal to the Prime Minister and also other officials of the Government to relax these pre-conditions and take all steps to hold dialogue with them because political dialogue is the only solution. Thank you.