Assam: Peace talks can progress if ULFA (I) drops demand for sovereignty, says CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that peace talks with banned militant group United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) could progress if it was prepared to discuss anything but its demand for sovereignty, reported PTI.

“ULFA (I) chief Paresh Barua insists that he will not discuss anything beyond sovereignty but I have taken an oath to protect sovereignty,” Sarma said. “These two are irreconcilable.”

Sarma said that many people were working with the ULFA (I) chief to convince him to discuss something substantial without insisting on sovereignty. “We take oath that it is our duty to protect our sovereignty and not cede an inch of our land,” the chief minister said. “For him [Barua] also, there is a compulsion. So there is a need to arrive at a certain definition which can address the issues of both [the parties] concerned.”

The chief minister added that though the talks with ULFA(I) have been slow in progress, the climate was positive for discussions.

Soon after taking oath as the chief minister of Assam in May, Sarma had said that his government would be open to initiating talks with the banned militant group. “Over the past five years [under the BJP government], people saw a process of peace and development…

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