PM talks tough on killings by Ulfa

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a tough message to the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) today, said there would be no compromise if the banned outfit resorted to violence. However, the doors for dialogue were open if it abjured violence, he added.

"The Ulfa resorted to shameless and gruesome acts of terror and there will be no compromise with these groups if they resort to violence. At the same time, I would like to reiterate that the doors for dialogue are open to all disaffected groups, including Ulfa, who are willing to abjure violence," Singh told a press conference at the Mohanbari airport near here.

The prime minister said there was a very large constituency for peace. "Surveys are repeatedly showing that there is absolutely no support in Assam for acts of violence and terror. There is a surge in anti-Ulfa sentiment. People want to get on with their lives and improve their lot rather than be victims of fear and terror," he said.

"I am sure that if we persist with the process of dialogue, a solution can certainly be found in Assam just as it has been found for many other groups and entities," Singh said.

The prime minister said his message for the people of Assam was that the Centre was firm in its resolve to work with people and the state government to ensure that terrorist outfits did not succeed in their nefarious designs. He was speaking after visiting some areas in upper Assam where the Ulfa had a few days ago killed 70 Hindi-speaking migrants.

On talks with the Ulfa, he said, "We sent feelers to them and engaged in discussions with the Peoples' Consultative Group (PCG). For a while, we thought that we are making some progress. We had three rounds of discussions and we created an atmosphere conducive to talks. However, when it came to direct talks with Ulfa, things came to a standstill. Instead of making headway, a mindless cycle of violence has restarted and innocent people are being killed."

Responding to Singh's comment, the Ulfa-nominated PCG accused the Centre of lacking sincerity in solving the insurgency problem and said a political solution was the only way out.

"The whole problem lies with the government. There is lack of sincerity on their part. They have not fulfilled the decisions taken at our June 22 sitting," PCG spokesman Lachit Bordoloi told reporters.

"The good signal after the violence (killing of 70 migrant workers) is that the Ulfa has been repeatedly expressing its willingness for talks if the five (jailed cadres whose release the group has been demanding) are released," he said.