ULFA firm on demand for sovereignty

ULFA is firm on its demand for sovereignty despite the arrest of its top leaders, the group's 'vice chairman' Pradip Gogoi said on Friday and accused the Bangladesh government of betraying it.

ULFA is firm on its demand for sovereignty despite the arrest of its top leaders, the group's 'vice chairman' Pradip Gogoi said on Friday and accused the Bangladesh government of betraying it.

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"After Bhutan (referring to the operations of Royal Bhutan Army in 2003 to flush out northeast rebels), Bangladesh has betrayed us and they (government) should be prepared to face the consequences," the jailed ULFA leader said.

Gogoi, who was produced before the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate in connection with a case, told reporters that there can be no compromise on the issue of sovereignty and both ULFA 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa and 'commander-in- chief' Paresh Barua must be present for talks with the government.

"We cannot leave somebody out and include somebody. But if the issue of sovereignty is discussed then we may consider talks without the C-i-C," he said.

"Whether Rajkhowa, Barua or I are present in the talks process or not, there can be no compromise on sovereignty," he asserted.

The peace process must be initiated with the 'unanimous consent' of the group's general council and the Centre should respond positively for a political settlement of the conflict, Gogoi, who was arrested in Kolkata in April 1998 and has since been under trial for a number of cases, said.