Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi here on Wednesday said that his Cabinet has passed a resolution to start peace-process with jailed Ulfa leaders, ignoring its elusive commander-in chief Paresh Baruah.
A day after Union home minister P. Chidambram’s nod to prepare the roadmap for the peace-talks with militant outfit, Mr Gogoi told reporters, “We have forwarded the Cabinet resolution to the Central government for their approval. As soon as their reply comes, we will finalise the modalities in consultation with the jailed Ulfa leaders to start the peace-talks.”
Mr Gogoi said, “We are hopeful that Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah will also understand the ground realities and respecting the sentiment of the common people he may also join the peace-process.”
The Assam Cabinet, which met here on Wednesday, took this decision in the wake of Union home minister’s remark on Tuesday where he said, “Assam chief minister will decide how to carry the political process (with Ulfa and other outfits) forward. When to hold talks, what are the conditions of talks, who they will talk to, the chief minister will decide on these matters in consultation with his Cabinet colleagues. As far as the government of India is concerned, we will support the state in the political process.”
Mr Gogoi also referred the remarks of Mr Chidambram who on Tuesday had said that law and order of the state has dramatically improved.