Talks will progress despite violence: Goswami

Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who is mediating between the Centre and the banned ULFA, said she was hopeful of the talks progressing well despite the recent violence in Tinsukia.

Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who is mediating between the Centre and the banned ULFA, on Wednesday said she was hopeful of the talks progressing well despite the recent violence in Tinsukia.

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"I am very thankful to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for having invited us for the discussions and they are progressing well," she said at a seminar 'The Africa Asia Literary Conference' organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Nimrana.

Defending herself from the critics that writers should not be political intermediaries, Goswami said she was "influenced" by the ULFA and saw no reason why she should not take the political role.

"I cannot help but smile when people talk about my political interventions," she said.

On Army's role in her home state, Goswami said "I was in Jammu and Kashmir and I am proud of the Indian Army's role there, but I do not share the same opinion about their role in Assam."