The Hindu : Front Page : Goodwill gesture to bring ULFA for talks

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Monday, Aug 14, 2006

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Goodwill gesture to bring ULFA for talks

The decision to suspend Army operations meets a key demand of ULFA

NEW DELHI: In a goodwill gesture to bring the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiating table, the Government on Sunday night decided to halt all operations by security forces against the militant outfit for a few days.

``We have advised the Army and other security forces in Assam to suspend their operations against ULFA for a few days,'' Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal told PTI.

``However, this does not mean that if they [ULFA] resort to any misadventure, there will be no retaliation. Appropriate action will be taken,'' Mr. Duggal said.

The decision to suspend the operations meets a key demand of ULFA. It comes days ahead of a crucial meeting between the mediators for ULFA and the Centre here next week to discuss modalities for initiation of direct talks between them.

Noted Assamese litterateur Indira Goswami and Rebati Phukan, a childhood friend of ULFA `Commander-in-Chief' Paresh Barua, are expected to meet Mr. Duggal and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on Wednesday.

`Big breakthrough'

Ms. Goswami, who has been mediating between the Government and ULFA, welcomed the Government's decision describing it as ``a very big breakthrough.''

``I am really happy and we welcome the Government decision,'' she said. — PTI

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