Ulfa says won’t tolerate delaying tactics

Two days before the key talks take place between the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and the government, the rebel outfit said it is determined not to let talks with the government go the Naga way and will walk away from negotiations the moment it feels cheated. "Delaying is denying. Sanjib Kr Baruah reports.

Two days before the key talks take place between the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and the government, the rebel outfit said it is determined not to let talks with the government go the Naga way and will walk away from negotiations the moment it feels cheated. "Delaying is denying.

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We won't let talks go the way as in the case of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim. At the first whiff of delaying tactics we will backtrack and go back to people for consultations and do whatever the people want," Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa told Hindustan Times.

Talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim have been going on for the last 14 years, but there has been no resolution so far of the issues. Three interlocuters have changed, with negotiations having taken place in eight countries across the world from UK to Japan.

"We won't be so patient like the NSCN," he added.

Insurgent groups from the region have often accused New Delhi of dilly-dallying on resolving issues.

"We have already submitted our agenda comprising 12 points that among other things explain the ground for struggle of the Ulfa and which we want addressed. So this time, we have come to find out what the government has to say," Rajkhowa said, underlining the significance of this round of talks for resolution of the decades-long conflict in Assam.

Seven Ulfa leaders, including Rajkhowa, will participate in this round of talks which, inter alia, will focus on constitutional safeguards and degree of autonomy for the Assamese people.

The insurgent group entourage will be without political adviser and Ulfa founding member Bhim Buragohain aka Mama who passed away on December 19, 2011 at the ripe age of 86.

An Ulfa faction led by Paresh Baruah and hundreds of his armed fighters continue to live in camps along the jungled Myanmar-China border, steadfast in their opposition to the ongoing talks.

Ulfa was formed 33 years ago at the historic Ronghor to start an armed rebellion to fight for Assam's independence. Ever since, the conflict has claimed more than 12,000 people.