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02/07/2006: "Maoists kill 13 cops in twin attacks"

Maoists kill 13 cops in twin attacks R. KRISHNA DAS The Telegraph
Raipur, Feb. 6: Maoist guerrillas blew up a private vehicle carrying jawans from Nagaland and attacked a police station, killing 13 security personnel in twin attacks in extreme corners of Chhattisgarh today.
The rebels first raided the Arrah police post in Jashpur, a district near the border with Jharkhand, killing three members of the special task force of the state police. More than 200 armed militants cordoned off the area and attacked the post, about 500 km from here and 3 km from Gumla in Jharkhand.
In the other attack, the rebels triggered a powerful landmine in Dantewada, a district near the border with Andhra, and blasted a private vehicle carrying jawans of the Nagaland Armed Police. Ten jawans died in the explosion.
The attack on the Arrah police post, 15 km from the district headquarters, came around midnight when most of the 17 jawans posted there were asleep. The police said the rebels exploded grenades and opened fire after blocking the roads leading to the post. They also blew up a wireless tower and a bridge on river Boki.
Sources said the rebels made public announcements in all villages near the post, warning people not to come out of their homes.
When the jawans at the post woke up to the attack, they returned fire. In the gun battle that followed, three jawans were killed and 12 injured. Around 4 am, the rebels succeeded in taking control of the post. They left after looting arms and ammunition and setting the post on fire.
Chhattisgarh police chief .P. Rathor, who rushed to Arrah with senior officials, spoke to his Jharkhand counterpart V.D. Ram and requested assistance in joint combing operations as the Maoists had probably escaped to Gumla and Simdega in Jharkhand.
“Since Maoists from Jharkhand are suspected to be involved, I have spoken to my counterpart there and steps are being taken for a joint operation to nab the attackers,” Rathor said.
The injured jawans were airlifted and rushed to different hospitals in Bilaspur.
In the other strike, the rebels laid a trap in Bhejji on Indrepal-Sukma road in Dantewada district this morning.
The Naga jawans — deployed for counter-insurgency operations — were returning to Bhejji after patrolling in the private vehicle to dodge the rebels. Sources said the truck, carrying two dozen jawans, was tossed 20 feet into the air before landing in pieces. Nine jawans died on the spot, one died later. Eight were injured.
The sources said the blast was followed by heavy firing from the rebels. The jawans retaliated and the exchange of fire lasted till 2 pm. The rebels fled after additional forces reached the spot.
NSF, NPMHR demand immediate withdrawal
Following today’s tragic incident at Chattisgarh both the Naga Students federation (NSF) and the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), while vehemently holding the Nagaland Government responsible for the deaths, have demanded immediate withdrawal of the IRB from Chattisgarh and warned that the organization would react effectively. “The State Government is responsible. They must withdraw the personnel immediately. We objected to the deployment even before they were sent and they should be recalled immediately” a visibly unsettled NSF President Pushika Awomi said in no uncertain terms. “But they happily sent our boys there and now they are dying in the proxy war. The Nagas have nothing to do with the proxy war” he said while questioning the reason why the State Government sent them in the first place. “We will wait and see and we will react” Awomi said.
Dr Lanusashi, NPMHR Convener, while terming the deaths as ‘unfortunate’ said that the incident was no surprise and that the personnel should be withdrawn immediately. “Our boys are being used to suppress others and this is the most unfortunate part (played) by the Government of Nagaland” he said adding that in the guise of mission, Naga soldiers were being sacrificed. “It is a big loss. It is unfortunate” Dr Lanu said. He reminded the Government that there were many fronts where the services of the Naga soldiers could be used productively and not in war missions. “Our boys are being sacrificed. They must be recalled immediately” he demanded.
Rio, Datta condoles The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (MExN): Both Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have sent their condolences on hearing of the tragic incident in which nine IRB jawans from Nagaland were killed in a deadly landmine attack.
In his condolence message, Datta said that the brave jawans of the 9 NAP fell to the dastardly act perpetrated by desperate groups with a violent ideology having no future. “No words are enough to condemn this despicable act of the perpetrators. Such acts will not deter the government in fighting the forces inimical to progress.
The supreme sacrifice of our courageous men will not go in vain”, Datta stated in his condolence message while conveying his heartfelt grief to the families of the deceased and the injured NAP personnel. The Governor also expressed confidence that the Centre and the State governments in Nagaland and Chhattisgarh would do everything possible to provide much needed support to the affected families.
In a separate message, Rio expressed shock over the death of the Naga policemen. The Chief Minister also strongly condemned the use of landmine by naxalites, in spite of it being banned by the United Nations and other human rights organization.
“I salute the brave Naga policemen who had sacrificed their lives while answering to the call of duty”, Rio stated while extending his condolences to the members of the bereaved family and wishing speedy recovery to those injured.
The Naga peace deal: A reconsideration By Dhanajit Thongam Sangai Express
What Shakespeare once said that lift is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing has set in my mind one chilly morning when I notice in the newspaper that the NSCN(IM) leadership has set a deadline to materialize the so-called Nagalim or to put it in other words unification of Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit. This decision has brought a tremor to me and suddenly forced me to look at the peace process afresh not as one who does not belong to the community in question but as a Manipuri who grew up in a multi-ethnic society.
How it began: One of the most interesting event in the North-East India in the last decade of the last century is the sudden budding of the Naga peace deal with the leadership of NSCN (IM) coming to the negotiation table from the nook and crannies of the jungles of the region. The peace process began without proper agenda being disclosed and the sanctity of the process towards solving the long outstanding issues has been thus questioned from time to time since then. But it continued and continued till date without any positive result seen so far. And yet NSCN (IM) leadership has set the fifteenth day of January or the month of January by the latest to meet their demand of Nagalim or greater Nagaland as we call it.
What the history says: Uniqueness of Naga history and sovereignty is the cliche of NSCN(IM) leaders. The Nagas in the remote past lived in small villages under their own administration with a head of each village without any outside force. True. But it is not for Nagas only, there are other tribes who lived in the similar tradition with the diaspora taking place within Manipur with the passage of time and the kings of Manipur losing administrative control owing to lack of administrative skills and the social conditions then. Now the question is whether a village or a group of villages in India can claim sovereignty because its administration was once carried out on its own without any external force. Many more such questions loom across one’s head the moment he thinks of the Naga history and sovereignty.
A demographic question: What NSCN(IM) wants is, apart from sovereignty, the unification of the Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit. In such a case, what will be the fate of those non-Naga tribes living in the four hill districts of Manipur who share about half the total land area of the districts in question? What is a Naga inhabited area? Is NSCN(IM) the sole authority that can demarcate the areas of land that belong to different communities in the hills of Manipur?
Another unforgettable event that has drastically changed the demography of Manipur is the communal violence that burned the hills of Manipur in the early nineties of the last century which has forced many communities to take the name ‘Naga’ only to find shelter under one Naga outfit which is and was, perhaps, the strongest one now and then in the North-East. Only this outfit in question may have the best statistical data of the number of innocent people killed and the houses burnt to debris. Many were forced to leave their villages and the villages thus left are now covered by the proposed Nagalim. One may wonder whether the violence was pre-planned. While thousands were killed on one side of the effect, the other side saw a mushrooming of smaller militant groups to crisscross the already troubled State of Manipur with demands like homeland, autonomy, etc.
A political question:
Independence or sovereignty is such a dynamic term that one may find its different interpretations in different books according to time, place and social set-up of the state or country concerned. The NSCN(IM) leadership, I think, has also learned it as its think-tank has, in recent past, spelt it out that sovereignty as the outfit demands has to be looked into anew in the wake of the political developments seen in India and the world. It gives a green signal to the possibility of a non-sovereign Nagalim State within India. Once the sovereignty demand is found missing in the agenda of the peace talk, the demand for Nagalim will be something that can be discussed within the framework of Indian constitution.
Gain or loss: In the event of the birth of a Nagalim State, what the people of this state will gain is only the name Nagalim — nothing more nothing less. It will be too presumptuous to think that a Nagalim State will bring dignity and development within a fortnight after its emergence. Look at the present state of Nagaland which had got statehood a decade before Manipur got the same place in the political map of India. In education, health, economy, communications, employment, rural development, industry, public security and even games and sports— what has this state gained more than Manipur or any of the sister States of the region? A Nagalim state may give the seat of governance to the leaders of the outfit while the general Naga people will gain nothing but the name of a new State which will remind one of the saying — old wine in new bottle. Nagas will lose nothing while living in Manipur nor will they gain anything if they live in a State called Nagalim.
Political poly tricks: Along with all this that has brought us all to reverie comes the power mania of the Naga politicians which makes the voice of people still before it reaches the political centre stage of lndia. I remember a Naga MLA once saying that he is a Naga first and an MLA of Manipur second. The political mindset of this MLA suggests that he will definitely support to break Manipur if it serves the cause of the Nagas. Indeed what has been more interesting is the background of such politicians who were not elected by the Naga people but selected by some hidden organisations by virtue of their having arms to force the people stay indoor on the day of the elections. Those elected thus have all become key players in giving a new shape to the present Naga peace process while sitting somewhere in Imphal or Delhi. One may remember the memorandum of the Naga MP’s and MLA’s of Manipur submitted to the Prime Minister demanding unification of Naga inhabited areas of Manipur. I suspect whether what they are saying here and there is first spelt out to them by the organisation which was instrumental in giving their way to the State Assembly or Parliament.
A humble prayer: Now that we hear news of a possible deadlock in the peace process here and there, yet our humble prayer is that the dialogue process continues atleast to avoid another era of violence. Let it be not a tale told by an idiot as in the case of an overambitious Shakespearean character called Macbeth.
(The writer is a lecturer of English, Sangai Higher Secondary School, Mantripukhri)
Social activists from Maharashtra visit Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: A 13-member team of social workers and activists from Maharashtra are on a visit to Nagaland to acquaint themselves with various activities of communities and socio-cultural issues in the state.

Experts in various fields are here under the initiative of former chief secretary of Nagaland A.M.Gokhale.

They would interact with the villagers to gain first hand experience of working of the community based programmes like village development boards, village councils and their governance in tourism, health and power arranged by the Nagaland Empowerment of People through economic development, said official sources.

They would also interact with voluntary groups, women groups, village councils and other important persons, official sources added.
Paramilitary forces launch offensive in Bastar New Kerala
Raipur: Hundreds of paramilitary troopers Tuesday launched a major offensive on Maoist strongholds in the deep forests of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region to avenge the killings of 10 policemen by rebels a day earlier.

Personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police force fanned out to search for guerrillas of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) who had set off a landmine blast that killed 10 personnel of the Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) in Dantewada district, some 480 km south of Raipur.

In a separate attack Monday, the left-wing militant outfit had killed three policemen in a police station in Jashpur district, 450 km north of here.

"We have accepted the rebels' challenge. A major offensive has been launched in Bastar to apprehend the attackers. The government is determined to avenge the killings," state Home Minister Ramvichar Netam told IANS.

Netam said that eight wounded NAP personnel were airlifted to the port city of Visakhapatnam in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for advanced medical treatment. The bodies of the killed NAP personnel will be sent to their home state Nagaland by helicopter after paying floral tributes at Raipur Tuesday afternoon.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has described the killings as an "act of cowardice" by the guerrillas.

The 9th NAP battalion, which was attacked, comprised 850 policemen. It was deployed in June 2005 in the worst afflicted Bastar region.

Police say the Bastar region bordering Andhra Pradesh is a safe haven for Maoist rebels. They have set up several war training centres and explosive manufacturing units in the deep forests to operate their terror network that spreads out in nine Indian states.

Last week, the rebels killed eight civilians in an attack on a government relief camp for tribal people in Dantewada. Three Maoists were also killed when police returned fire.

According to reports, Maoists hold sway over vast rural areas of eastern and southern India. They claim they are fighting for the rights of the landless labourers and poor peasants, many of them tribesmen. They mainly target police and paramilitary forces.

Nine Naga police personnel die in naxal blast
Dantewara Chhattisgarh | February 06, 2006 7:40:42 PM IST

At least nine Nagaland police personnel were killed and nine injured when naxals triggered a blast this morning at Kothacheru village in Bheji Police Station limits, police said.
The incident took place at about 0900 hours when Communist Party of India(Maoist) cadres triggered the explosion while the personnel were en route to Injram village.
Soon after the blast, the personnel took up positions and engaged the rebels in an encounter that continued for almost four hours.
Later, the ultras fled to nearby forests.
A helicopter was being pressed into service to airlift the injured personnel.
Inspector-General (Bastar Range) M W Ansari and other senior officicers reached Kothacheru where additional security personnel have also been deployed in combing operations.
Further details would be available only after officials returned from the remote village located close to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. UNI XC-JJ PA RK1841
UNC sets record straight Newmai News Network Sangai Express
Senapati, Feb 6 : While strongly refuting a report in an Imphal based newspaper with regard to its ongoing non-cooperation movement against the Manipur Govt, the United Naga Council (UNC) has stated that there is no question of re-launching or launching the non-cooperation movement as it had already started the non-coperation movement since November 4, 2005 at Senapati at the Naga Peoples Convention.
In a statement issued to Newmai News Network today the UNC said that it strongly denies the report in the February 1 issue in The Sangai Express filed by one of its staff reporters which said that the UNC was gearing up to relaunch its suspended non-cooperation movement and may announce it on Lui-Ngai-Ni day at Ukhrul.
While clarifying, UNC today stated that the staff reporter of The Sangai Express had mixed up the economic blockade and the November 4 Senapati Naga Peoples Convention resolution.
The Naga body said that the UNC had launched the non-cooperation movement on November 4, 2005 and since then it has been going on till date.
The Naga body alleged that the staff reporter of that Imphal based daily had misquoted the United Naga Council.
“The matter was first brought to the notice on February 1, 2006 itself but no retraction took place till date, hence the press release,” said UNC.
Further clarifying the matter, the UNC stated that “Lui-Ngai-Ni is the social and cultural festival and shall remain so. The UNC does not and will not use the social and cultural platform to put forward its political agenda.”
Senapati Committee : The Public Grievances Committee of Senapati district has urged the State Government to release the bills for all the maintenance works of the PWD taken up in the district maintaining the said bills have not been issued for the last 3/4 years. In a statement, the Committee warned that if the bills are not issued they will resort to agitations including blockade, rally, general strike etc.
Twin strike by Naxals kills 12 HT Correspondents Bastar/Raipur, Hindustand Times
MAOISTS STRUCK in a big way when they killed 12 security men after they stormed a remote police out-post in Jashpur in north Chhattisgarh and blew up a Naga Armed Police (NAP) patrolling van in Injaram village in Dantewada district of south Bastar, Monday. Nearly 17 security men were seriously injured in both incidents and are fighting for their lives in medical centres in Bilaspur.
According to a police spokesman in the state capital, nearly 500 armed Naxalites carried out a pre-dawn attack by storming Ara police out-post some 27 kilometers from Jashpur, bordering Jharkhand.
The Maoists who carried out the raid between 12 midnight and 3 am, Monday, opened sporadic fire and lobbed bombs, hopelessly outnumbering the 17 policemen in the out-post who fought back in vain. The Naxals managed to kill two policemen and injured eight others seriously. After a fierce gun battle the Maoists overran the outpost and looted rifles and ammunition, before fleeing the area.
The seriously injured policemen were later rushed to State Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) at Bilaspur where they are fighting for their lives, it was learnt.
In the second big incident, the Naxalites blew up a Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) van on a search and find mission and killed ten NAP jawans and seriously injured nine others in Injaram village under Bhejji police station, 140 kilometers from Dantewada in south Bastar at around 9 in the morning on Monday. The injured NAP personnel were rushed to the Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur.
Senior police officials, including Director General of Police, O P Rathore, ADG (Intelligence) S K Paswan and R P Modi, Advisor to the Home Department have rushed to the spot near Jashpur on learning of the attack. The police have launched a manhunt to track down the Naxals in the area. The state government is also requisitioning helicopters from the IAF to track down the Naxals, it was learnt.
Crucial ULFA peace talks in New Delhi today The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, FEB 6 (AGENCIES): Indian government negotiators and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) are meeting for fresh talks Tuesday aimed at ending nearly three decades of insurgency, officials said.
An Indian home ministry official said the talks would be held in New Delhi between government peace emissaries and an 11-member civil society group from Assam chosen by ULFA.
“We are taking the talks very seriously and we expect the two sides to put their heads together to try and resolve thorny issues,” the official who wished not to be identified said from New Delhi on telephone. The ULFA, a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, in October last year nominated the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), a team of prominent civil society members.India’s national security adviser M.K. Narayanan would be leading the government side. “We would be asking the government to suspend counter-insurgency operations, besides releasing a few top jailed ULFA leaders so that it paves the way for direct talks between the rebel leadership and New Delhi,” noted Assamese writer and PCG leader Indira Goswami told IANS on telephone from New Delhi. “The talks are therefore aimed at working out a mutually acceptable peace process leading to formal declaration of a bilateral ceasefire between the ULFA and the central government.” The first round of talks with the PCG and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was held in New Delhi Oct 26. Singh later said he was ready to discuss “all issues relating to the ULFA”.The ULFA in a statement last week said the outfit was ready for talks with New Delhi.
“We are ready for direct talks with the Indian government in the presence of international community members and UN representatives,” the rebel statement said. “Our guns would fall silent automatically if there is a political solution to our problem. Just having a ceasefire would not help things.” The ULFA representatives include prominent journalists, a yesteryear footballer, human rights activists, an engineer, a lawyer and a doctor.
In 1992, a group of five senior ULFA leaders were freed from jail and taken to New Delhi for initiating talks with the then prime minister P.V. Narashima Rao. The leaders after holding one round of talks went underground. The ULFA is one of the most organised rebel groups in the northeast where more than 30 militant outfits operate.
Intellectual Awakening a must for Naga society The Morung Express
Today’s world is cover up the much complicated values and life. Naga’s on the edge of the world are more advance compared than the neighboring states except Mizoram in the literacy rate. The rich blend of Naga language and the rich cultural diversity of Naga’s makes the theme of “One heart and One Soul”.
As far as concerned, the economic status of Naga’s is far much better than Assam. Even if there is no Industrial establishment in Nagaland. Up till now us, Naga’s depends entirely on Government. Naga’s have to check the illegal immigration of Bangladesh which is harming the states like Assam and Tripura.
As these illegal Bangaldeshi’s will give troubles in the near future. Before it is too late these illegal Bangladeshi’s have to check with proper verification before entering to our soil. It’s a social responsibility for each and every Naga’s to look after it. Where do we the youngsters will go tomorrow from Nagaland.
In fact, its high time for the Naga’s to see the conditions of what the future holds for Naga’s. With the alarming rising of population and our land which is very hard for us to do farming/agriculture activities. Where do we go now?
How long we depend on the Government? How much does the Government will do for us? The Gen X of Naga’s is going to face the Pro’s in the near future is proper implementation is not taken.
Today’s youth have to do something. As today’s world stands on the basis of merit. Yet we see the actual face of it in our land. Which will never change. No matter how hard we try, it’s high time for Intellectual Awakening. Wake up Gen X of Naga’s to heal our land from broken bonds. Rome was not built in a day. We can heal our land for a better tomorrow with the sense of “All for Naga’s and One for Naga’s”.
Khoni Ongbou
Brief profile of late Mr. HORANGSE SANGTAM, President of Naga Hoho who expired on February 6, 2006 at 10.15 p.m. (Thai Standard Time) at Vejthani Hospital,
Bangkok after participating in the Indo-Naga peace talks held on January 28-31, 2006 resulting in the extension of cease-fire for another 6 months w.e.f.
1st February 2006.

Born on 14th August 1945 at Mangkati village, Tuensang District, Nagaland. He was the son of late Mr. Ngaromong Sangtam, the Head GB of Mangkati village and reputed as the wealthiest man of his time in the region.

He graduated from St. Edmund's College, Shillong(Meghalaya). He joined politics in the year
1974 and contested on NNO ticket but lost. He contested again in the year 1982 at 62 A/C
(Lungkhimchari constituency) and won the election and became the Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland State Legislative Assemby. In 1987, he contested again but lost. Since then, he continued to serve the Naga public as a dedicated social worker and was involved in all major social organizations. He was the President of Naga Council, Dimapur from the period 2000-2004 after which he took over as President of Naga Hoho from May 2005 till his sudden demise on February 6, 2006 when he breathed his last in Bangkok.

He was also President of the Dimapur Sangtam Union for over 10 years and led the Western Sangtam Union as President since 2005 till his demise. He was a man of integrity and determination. Despite having suffered stomach cancer and having gone through a major
operation in March 2004, he recovered and remained actively concerned for the welfare of the Naga people. He took over the helms of the Naga Hoho when the Indo-Naga peace talks were entering into a crucial stage. Determined that the fate of the Nagas should be settled once and for all, he braved all odds posed by health conditions and against entreaties for rest from friends and family. He maintained that work was more important now for the Nagas, unfazed, he undertook an arduous journey to Bangkok, sat through the entire peace talks at Bangkok which resulted in clinching another six months of cease-fire for both India and the Nagas. He did his job and rested.

In the demise of Horangse Sangtam, the Nagas have lost a noble leader whose loss will never be substituted again. The legacy of sincerity, concern and determined leadership he left behind will always inspire the Nagas and all who have met and come across this great soul.

"Work (Naga political journey) is more important than
anything else; we must complete it at any cost."
Horangse Sangtam said before he started his last
journey to Bangkok.
-----------------------------------
Naga Hoho Camp: Bangkok.
ULFA asks New Delhi to stop military operations By Indo Asian News Service
New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday asked New Delhi to stop military operations in insurgency-hit Assam and reiterated the demand that its cadres be released.
Addressing reporters, hours before beginning talks with home ministry officials here, Arup Borbara of the People's Consultative Group (PCG) said: 'There have been operations going on, there have been killings of the ULFA leaders without any provocation and these things could have been avoided. Once there is violence, it leads to counter violence.'
The 11-member PCG headed by litterateur Indira Goswami, appointed by the ULFA to represent it in the talks, will meet National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan Tuesday evening for talks aimed at resolving the 27-year insurgency in the state.
The ULFA representatives include prominent journalists, a yesteryear footballer, human rights activists, an engineer, a lawyer and a doctor.
Goswami said the team would appeal for the release of the ULFA prisoners in India.
'I will appeal to the government of India to release the prisoners and small children, from the ages of four to 11. They are languishing in several jails in Assam with their mothers, having done no crime. They should be released immediately.'
The insurgent group had conceded to the longstanding demand of the central government for talks last year, paving the way for a resolution to what has been an extremely bloody rebellion in the region.
The rebels had triggered several bomb blasts targeting oil pipelines and power plants in the state, killing four people and injuring several ahead of the country's Republic Day celebrations in January.
At least 15,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam since 1979 when the ULFA, the state's first rebel group, was founded. The separatists accuse the central government of plundering natural resources.
In 1992, a group of five senior ULFA leaders were freed from jail and taken to New Delhi for initiating talks with then prime minister P.V. Narashima Rao. The leaders went underground after holding one round of talks.
The ULFA is one of the most organised rebel groups in the northeast where more than 30 militant outfits operate with demands ranging from independence to greater autonomy.
Centre-PCG talks amidst hope NET News Network
Guwahati, Feb 6: The second round of talks between the Centre and the ULFA constituted Peoples' Consultative Group (PCG) scheduled to be held tomorrow in New Delhi amidst the hope of paving the way for direct talks between the government and the banned outfit.
With the Centre delaying the announcement for the date of second round of talks, the ULFA recently triggered several bomb blasts in oil pipelines, power plants and in Guwahati killing four people, injuring several others.
Following the violence, Centre announced the date for the talks but this was marked by controversy as only five of the nine members were invited for the talks.
The outfit had expressed doubts on the sincerity of the Central government as it had invited only a few members of the PCG for the forthcoming talks.
The PCG also stated the group was not in favour of talks with only a few of its members as proposed by the Centre but all nine members will participate in tomorrow's talks.
The ULFA too supported the decision that all nine members along with the two facilitators Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami and ace yesteryear footballer Rebati Phukan should attend tomorrow's meeting and accordingly all the members left for New Delhi today.
The PCG was likely to raise the issue of suspension of operations against the ULFA, release of jailed central committee members to enable them to participate in the talks process and the whereabouts of the ULFA cadres missing since the Bhutan operation.
The first round of talks was held with the Prime Minister's Office on October 25 with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself present at the meeting.

ULFA should come for truce: Govt By A Staff Reporter Asam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Feb 6 – The Central and State governments are of the view that the Government and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) should come into an agreement to suspend operations simultaneously to create a congenial atmosphere for talks. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Home, Rockybul Hussain, in a written reply to a question by Dilip Kumar Saikia (AGP), in the State Assembly today.

Hussain informed the House that the operations by the security forces would be stopped once the Government of India, State Government and representatives of the ULFA sign an agreement for suspension of operations. He said that the Central and State Governments are sincere about bringing about a lasting solution to the problem of insurgency and initiative has been taken for peace talks with all the insurgent outfits. He said that the BLT had already signed an agreement with the Government, which resulted in the creation of the BTC, while, other outfits like the NDFB, DHD, UPDS etc have also come forward for talks. The ULFA has created a People’s Consultative Group (PCG) for talks with the Government and the first round of talks with the group in presence of the Prime Minister was held on October 26.

The Minister said that on January 7, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi offered a 14-day safe passage to the members of the ULFA cadres to visit their relatives to celebrate the Magh Bihu. The offer was made to show that the Government is not in favour of confrontation and it desires to solve the problem. The offer was hailed by the public and the media but the ULFA did not respond to it, he added.

In reply to a question by Dr TP Das (Ind), the Minister said that since the first meeting with the PCG, as many as 70 subversive activities took place in the State and public properties worth Rs 95,70,300 were damaged. He said that during the period, four Army personnel, 12 civilians and 12 militants were killed. In the same period, 13 ULFA members and three MULTA men surrendered.

Meanwhile, in response to the discussion on the cut motions on the supplementary demand for grant of Rs 1482.63 lakh for the Home department for the current financial year, Hussain said that melting of ice to bring the ULFA closer to the negotiation table is a major success of the present government. He said that no one should try to create confusion about the peace process. He also announced the decision to increase the remuneration of the persons working in the village defence organisations. He said that during the tenure of the previous Government, 1526 civilians were killed in insurgency related violence, but during the tenure of the present Government, 889 were killed.

Earlier, participating in the discussion on the cut motions, Dilip Kumar Saikia stressed the need for expediting the peace process and expressed the view that the operations against ULFA and peace initiative cannot go hand in hand. He alleged that innocent people of the State are being harassed in the name of apprehending militants and if acts of violence affects the ensuing polls, the Central and State Governments would be held responsible.

Pabindra Deka (Ind) said that common people are being harassed by the Army. He criticised the Governor for his statements on the issue of talks and said that the Constitutional head of the State should not have questioned the credibility of the PCG. It is an established fact that the problem cannot be solved by use of force and political solution is a must, he pointed out.

Bimalangshu Roy (BJP) expressed the view that cease-fire is a prime requisite for fruitful talks with the militants. He also stressed the need for strengthening the intelligence network.

Hitendra Nath Goswami (AGP) strongly reacted to the statements of the Governor on the issue of talks and said that he should not have made such statements at a time when the peace process is on. He suggested that a person with political wisdom should be appointed as the Governor. He said that the police department should be strengthened and alleged that there were instances of policemen drinking in police stations.

Zoii Nath Sarma (AGP) said that if the law and order situation in the state improved as claimed by the Government, the Army should be withdrawn.

Premadhar Bora (TGP), Matindra Basumatary (BDLP), Dr Ardhendu Kumar Dey (Cong), Pranati Phukan (Cong), and others also participated in the discussions.