NDFB must first abjure violence, says PC
Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 31 – Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram on Monday reiterated that NDFB anti-talk faction's plea for talks would be considered once government is satisfied that violence, abduction and extortion have come to an end.
Presenting his monthly report, Chidambaram referring to his recent meeting with the delegation of Bodo National Conference said a delegation consisting of members of a number of organisations of the Bodos met him on January 17 and requested that talks should be held with NDFB.
"I assured them that the policy of the Government of Assam – which has the support of the Central Government – is to hold talks with various groups once the government is satisfied that violence, abduction, and extortion have come to an end," he added.
"I pointed out that talks are under way with a number of groups of Assam and, in the same spirit, the request for talks with NDFB would be considered," he said.
As reported earlier, the Centre is not in a hurry to start political dialogue with Ranjan Daimary's faction and is watching his outfit's activities closely. Daimary faction's involvement in violent activities in the recent past has led the Centre to toughen its stand against the outfit.
Meanwhile, Chidambaram clarified that there is no change in Government of India's stand regarding ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia's case.
Replying to questions, he said, "I think there is no change in position. He is now in Bangladesh under some kind of custody. As far as Government of India is concerned there is no change in position."
Chetia's case figured during the recent Home Secretary level talks in Dhaka, though no decision was arrived at. India took up his case on the basis of a letter written by ULFA chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa to the Union Home Minister, wherein he requested that Chetia's handover be discussed with Bangladesh urgently, as his presence is required for the proposed talks with Government.
Sources in the Home Ministry had revealed that Chetia's case is sub-judice, as his petition seeking political asylum is pending in court in that country.
Meanwhile, the Home Minister played down reports of NSCN (I-M) procuring weapons from China, though he admitted that there may be a grain of truth in such reports.
"NSCN (I-M) is in talks with Government of India and from time to time there will be such reports. Perhaps there may be a grain of truth in such reports. But I don't want to pay too much attention to such reports and we are in formal talks with IM and the Federation for Naga Reconciliation is trying to bring all Naga groups together and other senior leaders of NSCN I-M have returned to India."
On increasing Chinese interferences, Chidambaram said Government is always vigilant. "We take note of every report, some are true and some are not. Some reports which are true are sometimes exaggerated. We are vigilant and take appropriate steps," he said.
About other developments in North-east, he said in January, 543 Bru families have been repatriated from Tripura to Mizoram.
Along the India-Bangladesh border, eight km of fencing and seven km of road works were completed in January under phase II of the project. At least 19 km of fencing were replaced in January under Phase III of the project. Poles floodlighting were erected on a length of 40 km and cables were laid on 20 km stretch in January, the Home Minister said.
On India-China border, Chidambaram reported that construction of 21 km of roads totalling 653.40 km is in progress, while at least 6.73 km of formation works and .32 km of surfacing works were completed in January.
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