Shun violence and come for talks, Chidambaram tells ULFA

Turning down the demand for sovereignty, the Centre today appealed to the ULFA and the UNLF to give up violence and hold talks, saying it was willing to look at 'new governing structures' to take care of the development agenda of the north-east.Chidambaram convenes meeting of CSs, DGPs of Naxal-hit states

Turning down the demand for sovereignty, the Centre on Tuesday appealed to the ULFA and the UNLF to give up violence and hold talks, saying it was willing to look at 'new governing structures' to take care of the development agenda of the north-east.

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"A couple of groups like the ULFA and the UNLF are still carrying out violent activities. To them we say, give up the demand for sovereignty. Give up violence and we can talk of anything," Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said at the valedictory session of the CII leadership summit in Kolkata.

Stating that the Constitution was resilient and innovative, and accommodated the concerns of the people of smaller states, he said, "If new innovations for governing structures are required, we are willing to look at it.

"The Constitution has provided for hill development councils, semi-autonomy, and some schedules to address the concerns of the people of the smaller states. We can have more schedules as long as it takes care of the development agenda."

He said the 'Presidency Model' of the British days was not suitable for the northeast, which had a different history, social structure and governance structure.

Chidambaram said about half-a-dozen insurgent groups were already holding talks with interlocutors and the government was hopeful of resolving their grievances.