The home ministry on Friday discussed two burning problem of migration from Bangladesh and floods with pro-talk faction of Ulfa which asked New Delhi to bring in accountability and transparency in tackling the issues in Assam.
Disclosing that union home secretary R.K. Singh chaired the meeting with six member delegation of Ulfa, led by its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa, authoritative security sources said that agenda of talks on Friday was focused on two chapters of the Ulfa’s 12-point charter of demands.
“The meeting with Ulfa leaders was fruitful. We discussed the 12-point charter of demands,” home secretary Mr Singh said after the meeting which was also attended by representatives of the Assam government and the Centre’s interlocutor, P.C. Halder.
During the two-hour-long talks, both sides discussed observance of ground rules for ceasefire signed by both sides, surrender of arms and ammunition and total halt of operations by security forces against the pro-talk faction, home ministry sources said.
Rajkhowa said they have also raised the issue of illegal immigration, constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people of Assam and permanent solution to the flood problem.
Informing that home ministry acknowledged the concern of the Ulfa leaders, security sources said that home ministry has agreed to work out strategy for a permanent solution of the two crucial issues of migration and floods afflicting the state. Security sources said that home ministry has also asked Ulfa leaders to suggest the way to tackle these two issues with full accountability.
Clarifying that issue of bringing Ulfa general secretary Anup Chetia from Bangladesh did not come up for discussion, security sources said that the two-hour-long talks was restricted to these two issues, which also included the demand of constitutional safeguard for indigenous population of Assam.
Speaking at a press conference later, the home secretary said that while ‘’illegal migration’’ was the foremost concern, the need for infrastructure development in Assam, flood situation, declaration of some tribes as scheduled tribes and Ulfa’ s demand for representation in the legislative council from autonomous district council formed under sixth schedule were the other issues which were discussed.
Pointing out that Ulfa leaders have sought an amendment in the Constitution for finding “meaningful” ways to protect the rights and identity of the indigenous people of state, security sources said that Ulfa leaders also stressed the need for increasing accountability in implementation of schemes at village level.
Security sources said that other issues like sending a representative of Ulfa to Dhaka to persuade its general secretary Anup Chetia to join the peace-process would be taken up in next round of peace-talks. Chetia is languishing in protective custody of Bangladesh.