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ULFA should see reason

In June, when the People's Consultative Group (PCG) concluded the third round of talks with the Union Government on behalf of the United Liberation Front of Asom, the assumption naturally was that at long last direct talks between the Government and ULFA would follow in an effort to check insurgency in Assam. The signs were, however, hardly propitious: just ahead of that round, ULFA set off a series of blasts. The obduracy that has marked its approach since then hardly gives room for a positive view of things. The Government has sent repeated signals that it would not be averse to releasing five of ULFA's jailed leaders, one of the three pre-conditions it has set for coming to the negotiating table. In fact, ULFA wants a written assurance. The terms that the Government has laid down — that ULFA give a written undertaking with regard to participation in talks, and list the composition of its delegation — are sound and reasonable. After all, ULFA's argument is that the presence of the five leaders is essential for the talks. Its continued refusal to meet these requirements is puzzling and disturbing — and raises doubts about its motives and intentions. As regards its other demands — "sovereignty", and information on the whereabouts of a few leaders missing since the 2003 operation to flush out terrorists from camps in Bhutan — the Government's approach is muted. After all, the "sovereignty" demand is patently untenable; and the outfit has not chosen to stop its extortion and violence by way of creating an atmosphere conducive to talks. Before deciding to do business with it, the Government would naturally like to be convinced about the sincerity of the outlawed organisation.

As the Government informed Parliament last week, there is reason to conclude that ULFA is maintaining links with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence, and training camps and shelters in Bangladesh — where its chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, and commander-in-chief, Paresh Barua, remain. The Government has stepped up the deployment of the Army and the paramilitary forces. Understandably disturbed, Mr. Rajkhowa has accused the Army of seeking to disrupt the peace process. That efforts are being made to find a political solution to the problem does not mean that the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign must be put on hold. There is no doubt that the Government should make use of the opportunity to bring the rebels to the negotiating table, but it cannot afford to do so until both sides agree on some ground rules and an acceptable protocol within the framework of the Constitution. If ULFA insists on playing the game only on its own terms, or on merely playing a waiting game, the play will have to be halted until it chooses to see reason. Meanwhile, continuing to keep the PCG in the loop may be an option, although the intermediaries may seem to have outlived much of their usefulness.

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