Yes, if nothing else, for peace to come back and prevail in Assam, and for the sake of the people of Assam - young and old, a talk process should start immediately, and neither party should be stubborn but be practical about it.
I won't even get into the facts like, if a few offers to start the talk process were made before, and whose fault it is, or who started it, etc., for the current situation of Assam - the (almsot stagnant) economy, the lost lives and the livelihood of many, etc., etc., but like millions of others in Assam, would like to see the end result now - PEACE - at any cost.
And by the way, the cost has been paid already - not by the government and not by the "leaders" of ULFA - but by the ordinary citizens, and also by the ordinary members of the insurgents - the innocent, naive and the brain-washed young men and women with "patriotic" feelings.
God bless Assam.
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Talks with ULFA
Sir,� The latest development in State politics is really disturbing to any peace loving person. First, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) showed an interest in talks and contacted Jnanpith Award winner writer Mamoni Roisam Goswami and the latter had made it clear that she was ready to be the mediator if both the sides want her.
The people of Assam began to think that at last peace is on its way. But the Central government does not seen to be serious in finding an amicable solution to the problems raised by the ULFA. There may be an iota of truth in the fact that the ULFA too is a problem but the problems raised by them cannot be ignored either. If the government can hold talks with other militant outfits why it cannot with ULFA? Although the government has expressed its willingness to hold talks with the ULFA it has not done enough to prepare a conducive environment fo!
r holding talks. The recent example of killing of five ULFA militants in Lakhimpur has made matters worse. It has given the feeling that the government is not keen on solving the problem amicably. Angered by the killing the self styled leader of the militant outfit threatened to kill Congress workers and that made the situation worse and it seems that the peace process is on the verge of derailing.
As if that was not enough the Centre�s decision on IM(DT) Act also has met with mixed reactions in the State. The AASU, AGP, BJP and many others have resented the government�s decision and the AASU is all set to disrupt Prime Minister Manmohan Singh�s visit to the State in the wake of the Indo ASEAN car rally. Of course, it is a matter of doubt as to how far BJP and AGP are honest on resenting government�s decision as they had done little to repeal this Act when they were in power. But the AASU is fighting for the repeal of the Act and it was felt that this Act will not be !
repealed this time. It is beyond our comprehension as to why this Act is so indispensable in Assam and not in other States. If the Act has nothing objectionable why it has not been implemented all over the country! This turn of events for the people of Assam is very disturbing and let�s hope good times will come and good sense will prevail everywhere. �Yours etc., ANGARAG BHUYAN, Habibarangabari, Morigaon.
(ii)
Sir,� It is time for all concerned to restrain themselves not to jeopardise the peace process made with the militants by the mediator. After long persuasion the militants have shown some relaxation and indications are in sight that they may agree to break the nut. So long there was no serious thinking given to soften the hard attitude of the militants except applying force which failed to bring any solution to the vexed problem. It should, therefore be the our duty to create an atmosphere to give the peace proc!
ess a try.
If the militants can be brought to the negotiation table without making any pre-condition from either side and listen to the views of each side, certainly a dialogue will start. It is known to all that a solution cannot be achieved within a day and it will need time but the situation can be created to heal the wounds. Realisation will be necessary on both sides and adamancy shall have to be avoided to make room for creation of understanding to hammer out a solution. The process is not that easy, so the mediators should be given upperhand to see that the process is not foiled in the midway.
The government and the media shall have to play a very cautious role with sincerity to help the process move in the right direction. The NGOs and socio-cultural organisations also need to extend their full support to make a breakthrough. Let us all strengthen the hands of the mediators to continue their effort to ease the suffering of the common people. �Yours etc.!
, N SARMA, Panbazar, Guwahati.
(iii)
Sir,�Assam is lagging far behind in all spheres compared to the other States of India due to gross negligence and apathy of the successive governments which is the root cause of insurgency problem. From time to time the people of Assam have urged the government to hold talks with the extremist groups. But the government has considered the extremist issue as a mere law and order problem and has been taking repressive measures through different black laws. It seems that the both central and State governments are not serious in solving the problem through dialogue. It is true that there are enormous lapses on the part of the rebel group and the people have blamed the outfits for abducting and killing innocent persons.
Of late, a praisworthy step has been taken by renowned litterateur, Jnanpith Award winners, Dr Mamoni Roisom Goswami towards holding the much needed dialogue afte!
r receiving the green signal from ULFA leadership. The peace loving people of Assam are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the dialogue . Of course it depends on the government, I would like to urge the State and the Central governments to come forward with an open mind and take the initiative to tackle the insurgency problem. The issue of sovereignty also can be discussed at the negotiating table because acceptance or rejection is a different matter. Is the government serious on the matter? �KESHAB BORA, Nagaon.
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