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India Announces Anti-ULFA Military Operations

2006-11-07 New Delhi Tuesday announced a massive anti-insurgency offensive against the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Assam, even as it kept the doors open for talks with the outfit.

India's Home Secretary V.K. Duggal said a 'time bound' action was being initiated to 'ensure safety of the common people' and other 'economic installations' in the state.

'You will see visible changes for yourself. Just wait and watch and see the results,' the home secretary said.

'Anybody picks up weapons or explosives would be dealt with firmly and effectively.'

Duggal was speaking at the end of his two-day Assam visit to review and work out strategies following the twin explosions in Guwahati over the weekend that killed 14 people and wounded 38 more.

Accompanied by the director generals of the Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force, Duggal held a series of high level security strategy group meetings with officials of the army, paramilitary, police and the civil authorities.

'All concerned security forces and other agencies have been sensitised and the constraints are to be addressed,' the home secretary said.

Police blamed the ULFA for the two powerful explosions that rocked Guwahati Sunday night - one at the crowded Fancy Bazaar area and another at Pathar Kuwari on the outskirts of the city.

'Going by the manner in which the explosions were carried out, targeting civilians, this is nothing but a terrorist attack which is cowardice and done out of desperation,' Duggal said.

Despite the tough security stand, New Delhi kept alive hopes for peace talks with the ULFA.

'The policy of the Indian government is that anybody sincerely believing in pursuing the peace process would be encouraged,' the home secretary said.

The army has been engaged in a military operation against the ULFA since September when New Delhi called off a six-week ceasefire blaming the outfit for stepping up attacks and extortions.

Peace talks between ULFA representatives and New Delhi formally broke last month after the People's Consultative Group (PCG), a civil society team appointed by the rebels to mediate for talks, pulled out of the peace process blaming the government for calling off the truce.

There were three rounds of talks between the ULFA chosen PCG and the government peace negotiators.

'We made such (New Delhi's decision to announce a unilateral ceasefire in August) endeavours with good intentions. A day will come when they (ULFA) have to come to the mainstream,' Duggal said.

'We thought, let's give them a chance.'

The ULFA, fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, wants the release of five of their jailed leaders as a precondition to holding peace talks. New Delhi in return wants the rebel leadership to commit in writing that they would come for direct negotiations if the jailed militants were released.

The ULFA was not willing to give it in writing, leading to the collapse of the peace process.