KOLKATA: Chief of Northeast India’s dreaded separatist organization United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) Paresh Barua agreed to talk with the Indian government, said mediators led by Hiren Gohay Tuesday, after prolonged persuasion.  
        
A 6-member team of go-betweens who are doing the spadework for arranging negotiations between the India government and the banned outfit of insurgents met Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi Monday.

Earlier, the team was not allowed to meet the PM, but finally it was permitted.

While talking to journalists later, Hiren Gohay termed the PM’s behaviour “unfortunate”.

The armed battle of ULFA can be considered ‘necessary’, but their demand for freedom should not be supported, he said.

“Though we have no personal relations with ULFA, we have come forward for the good of Assam people,” said Gohay.

The team demanded release of top leaders from Assam jail. They said ULFA leaders would take part in talks if held outside the jail. Other ULFA leaders joined the meeting.

Hiren Gohay also said, “Top leaders detained in jail intended to return into the mainstream of society through talks, forgoing their demand for freedom.”

He added: “Detained top leaders informed the mediators that ULFA chief Paresh Barua and Anup Chetia, who is now detained in Bangladesh jail, agreed to talk to the Indian government.”

Besides, if Paresh Barua--reportedly captured after his return from China’s northeast fringes--stays away from the talks finally, they will have to float a new organisation.

The team also included NK Chowdhury, Hironno Bhattacharya, Rohini Kumar Barua, Khurshid Alam and Indibor Deora.

BDST 1520 hrs June 22, 2010
RD/RS/SMS/MUA