Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan on Saturday urged the Union government to start the process of unconditional dialogue with the insurgent United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and facilitate the leaders of the militant outfit to come together to take a decision and start the talks.
Mr. Bardhan told journalists that his party proposed to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urge him to start the process of dialogue with the ULFA. He said that once the dialogue process started then other issues could be discussed across the table.
There were some ground realities behind formation of the ULFA and over the past 32 years every means was adopted to suppress the insurgent activities. However, experience showed that insurgency could not be suppressed at the point of gun and the way out was to hold political dialogue. The veteran communist leader urged the government to hold talks with the ULFA without any precondition.
On the peace talks between the government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), the CPI leader said the NSCN (I-M) was also agitating on the issue of sovereignty when the dialogue started. The ceasefire came about one year after start of the dialogue process and there was no precondition.
On the issue of price rise, Mr. Bardhan said the Left parties would resume the countrywide struggle against spiralling prices of essential commodities once the current fury of rain was over. He also said all Central trade unions including the, AITUC and CITU decided to frame a joint action programme and on July 15 a convention of these trade unions would be held in Delhi in which the INTUC and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh would also take part.
Expressing concern over rampant “corruption” and “misuse” of the development fund meant for two tribal autonomous councils of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao hill districts, Mr. Bardhan said his party would join a demonstration called by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on July 13 at Dispur on the issue.
He demanded that all those involved in the “mega scam” be immediately brought to book.
