The recent economic growth in Assam has eroded the popular support base of the Ulfa (United Liberated Front of Asom), the states' chief minister, Tarun Gogoi, said here today.
"Due to economic development in the state, there has been more employment and jobs because of which the support base has decreased. Also, many ultras are surrendering because employment opportunities are being generated," he said on the sidelines of a business summit on the North East.
The arrest of Ulfa leader Arabinda Rajkhowa in November in Bangladesh has dealt a severe blow to the insurgent outfit. Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed has also extended full co-operation with India in curbing acts of terrorism against India which emanated from Bangladesh. But Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah remains out of reach of the security agencies.
On the issue of holding talks with the insurgent group, Gogoi said that his government would be open to negotiating with factions of the Ulfa but "will try to get all sections" to the discussion table.
However, he clarified that there was no predefined formula that had been worked out yet, despite Union home minister P Chidambaram offering constitutional flexibility to allow for new governing structures last month.
"There is no formula yet. But a new formula will definitely emerge once they (Ulfa) come for talks," Gogoi said.
But as the home minister has asserted, Gogoi, too, said that there would be no question on the matter of sovereignty as the notion had been rejected by the elections in Assam. “The people of Assam want to be a part of India,” the chief minister said.