Ball now in Centres Court: PCG
http://www.assamtribune.com/
NEW DELHI, Oct 27 A day after the much-awaited dialogue with the Government of India, the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) has said that the onus was on the Centre to show prudence and exercise restraint. The key word that has emerged after the prolonged negotiation between the Union Government and PCG was restraint from both sides to prevent the ongoing peace process from getting derailed.
Euphoric as they were by the positive attitude of the Government of India, the PCG has realised that they were walking on thin ice and one wrong move from either side might spell doom to the peace process.
Although the PCG refrained from saying anything specific, they pointed towards the recent statements by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General JJ Singh and rumblings of Assam DGP, PV Sumant. Within 48 hours of the ULFAs letter to Government of India, the State DGP reiterated that the operations would continue," said the spokesman of the Group, Arup Borbora. On the other hand, ULFA has not indulged in any acts of violence after the constitution of the PCG, he reminded.
The PCG member, who was addressing a meeting of the civil society organised by Lok Raj Sangathan (LRS) at the Constitution Club here today urged that responsible quarters should not pass remarks, which is not congenial to the peace process.
The responsibilities are on the PCG and the Government of India to see to it that they show prudence and exercise restraint, he said.
It is for the Government to ensure that the ULFA peace process does not get derailed by any whimsical or arbitrary action of any quarter, he added.
Asserting that they were expecting a permanent solution to the problem, the spokesman said that nobody should put the matter in dispute under the carpet. If Government of India is serious, then it must be prepared to discuss all issue and issues, he reiterated.
With the Prime Minister agreeing to discuss all issues and stressing on peace and prosperity of the State, the PCG feels that the talks were on the right track. Chief coordinator of the Group, Rebati Phukan said that the ULFA has no alternative but to respond. "They are very serious and I think the issue would be clinched otherwise it would remain elusive forever," he opined.
"We wont get an opportunity like this again and both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister were very positive," he said.
The PCG had yesterday pleaded that for creation of congenial atmosphere in the State and the Centre should explore the possibility of releasing the five detained ULFA cadres, besides women and children held during Bhutan operation, repeal of the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act and suspension of army operations.
The release of the detained cadres would facilitate further negotiations and create the right atmosphere, said Phukan.
Meanwhile, the PCG members said at the public meeting that the Government cannot solve armed conflict by unilaterally using force, eliminating leaders of the groups in conflict or by applying stringent sets of law.
Referring to the discussion held yesterday, the Spokesman said that they got an opportunity to discuss all issues and talks were preliminary in nature. "We exchanged viewpoints raised by ULFA and reminded the Government of India about the ground realities and what could be basis of discussions," he said.
ULFA has shown wisdom by inviting the civil society for the first time in the peace process, Borbora said, adding that history has shown that conflict can be resolved only through political negotiations. He also spoke out against the AFSPA describing it as an Act known more for abuses rather than its application.
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