'Govt optimistic of conflict resolution in North East'

Home minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said that the government was in talks with a number of insurgent outfits in the North East and was optimistic of a resolution.

“We are talking to half a dozen groups through interlocutors and hope to resolve their grievances. However, certain other groups, including the ULFA, are yet to give up arms. If they give up their demands for sovereignty and violence, we can talk,” he said. He added that if the innovations were required for new governing structures, the Centre would be willing to look at it. “If we send out an unambiguous message, stick by our stand (against sovereignty) and show a certain amount of flexibility, I am confident that we will be able to solve insurgency in North East,” he said.