Guwahati:
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today termed as "positive development" the initiation of talks by the ULFA leadership with the Centre and hoped that this will lead to restoration of peace in the state as well as in the entire northeast.
"My yesterday's meeting with the ULFA leaders was very cordial and they had expressed their desire for an honourable solution to the vexed problem. We, too, on our side showed full respect to them and agreed upon for a meaningful solution to the problem. We also cannot let Assam's existence to be endangered," Gogoi told reporters here today.
"It is a positive development. It's heartening that the ULFA leadership came forward to take part in the peace process as per the desire of the people of Assam. I hope this will lead to restoration of permanent peace in the state and the entire northeast," he said.
"I hope that Paresh Baruah (elusive ULFA 'commander-in-chief') and his followers, including Jiban Moran (ULFA 'central executive committee' member) will also join in the peace process for the greater interests of the people of the state," he said.
"We expect the ULFA problem will be resolved soon, and the law and order situation in the state has improved tremendously."
Gogoi also lauded the initiatives taken by Hiren Gohain and others of Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (of intellectuals) in bringing the front ranking leaders of ULFA to the negotiation table.
To queries what were the issues they talked about in yesterday's meeting, he said, "We had no discussions as theirs (ULFA leaders) was only a courtesy call".
On him not being present in the meeting in Delhi today, Gogoi said, "Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked me to come. I told them when
the talks are finalized, I will be there. Today's meeting is only a courtesy call."
On media reports that the ULFA delegation yesterday had to sign in the register and deposit their mobile phones before seeing him at his residence, he clarified, "It is a normal procedure followed by all visitors, dignitaries, including ministers, officials, etc. It does not mean that the
government of Assam has shown any disrespect or dishonour to the top ULFA leaders."
"My yesterday's meeting with the ULFA leaders was very cordial and they had expressed their desire for an honourable solution to the vexed problem. We, too, on our side showed full respect to them and agreed upon for a meaningful solution to the problem. We also cannot let Assam's existence to be endangered," Gogoi told reporters here today.
"It is a positive development. It's heartening that the ULFA leadership came forward to take part in the peace process as per the desire of the people of Assam. I hope this will lead to restoration of permanent peace in the state and the entire northeast," he said.
"I hope that Paresh Baruah (elusive ULFA 'commander-in-chief') and his followers, including Jiban Moran (ULFA 'central executive committee' member) will also join in the peace process for the greater interests of the people of the state," he said.
"We expect the ULFA problem will be resolved soon, and the law and order situation in the state has improved tremendously."
Gogoi also lauded the initiatives taken by Hiren Gohain and others of Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (of intellectuals) in bringing the front ranking leaders of ULFA to the negotiation table.
To queries what were the issues they talked about in yesterday's meeting, he said, "We had no discussions as theirs (ULFA leaders) was only a courtesy call".
On him not being present in the meeting in Delhi today, Gogoi said, "Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked me to come. I told them when
the talks are finalized, I will be there. Today's meeting is only a courtesy call."
On media reports that the ULFA delegation yesterday had to sign in the register and deposit their mobile phones before seeing him at his residence, he clarified, "It is a normal procedure followed by all visitors, dignitaries, including ministers, officials, etc. It does not mean that the
government of Assam has shown any disrespect or dishonour to the top ULFA leaders."
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