GUWAHATE: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)on Saturday made it clear that it was Participating in the process of negotiations with the government ‘on its own free will and not under pressure from any quarter.

In an attempt to clear doubts arising in the minds of the people Of the state centering around the talks between the ULFA representatives and the Prime Minister in New DelhionJan.12theULFA central publicity secretary Siddhartha Phukan said here on Saturday that the issue of talks should be viewed not with emotion but in light of the reality and gravity of the prevailing situation

Phakan who issued statements to a section of the press here said it would be wrong to think that the ULFA was going ahead to seek a solution by ignoring the problems the point that the ULFA was “aware” of the struggle of the people against state repression during the past few months and that “each and every person associated with the cause of the ULFA. and those who had followed the tortuous path of the revolution had the right to criticize and take part in the formulations of ULFA’s polices.

“The ULFA publicity secretary who had taken part in the talks with the Prime Minister after he was released on parole follow it agreement in his statement said the time had come for “dispassionately chalking out the future program of the “revolution” by every Assamese else it would result in “a pathetic wastage” of the revolutionary spirit.

ULFA was responding to the assurances of Delhi “to test its sincerity”. He said the talks could not ‘and should not be described as the end of the ULFA’s struggle but should be considered only as a new phase. The ULFA would ‘continue its struggle until an acceptable solution to the state’s problems was achieved. The ULFA had in December1991 shifted its focus from secession to self-determination indirectly hinting at federal reorganization Of the country with more powers to the states.

‘Meanwhile there were reports “that the top leaders of the out lit were holding an important meeting on January 25 to discuss the ‘modalities for negotiations with the government The talks are scheduled to be held after February 1 as the ULFA had sought time till then to complete intra organisational discussions. The Union Home — Minister S.V. Chavan’s reported statement Of Friday that the next round of negotiations with the ULFA leader’s would be held next week has however jeopardized the situation and Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia on Saturday. He evaded newsmen’s queries pertaining to this aspect.

‘More confusion arose here on Saturday over the much awaited talks following encouraging peace initiative recently. Official sources here confirmed that about 100 ULFA cadres were undergoing ‘arms training in Bangladesh. The source said these 100 youths were in Bangladesh under the supervision of none other than ULFA commander in chief Paresh Bara.

Official sources have also confirmed that another batch of youths were in training camps in adjacent ‘Myanmar.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1992