Process for peace talks going at good pace: ULFA chairman

The process to hold peace talks between the ULFA and the central government is going at a good pace and a sense of optimism has emerged that Assam, by being part of India, can create a positive impact and grow together, the insurgent group's chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, said Monday.

"State and central governments are till now cooperating with us and we are hopeful that the new government at the Centre will come up with a viable solution," the leader of the pro-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom said at a seminar on "Insurgence to Resurgence" held as part of the ongoing North East Festival here.

"The government should not go on and on with the talk process and there should be a meaningful solution to this problem," he added.

Observing that the ULFA opposed the colonial attitude of the state machinery, he said that "we want an administration in Assam and the whole northeastern region without colonial attitude".

"We do not want our culture to disappear the way ancient rich civilisation of Tigris Euphrates has disappeared," Rakjhowa said.

"We don't want to witness bloodshed the way people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon are witnessing."

The pro-talk leader, however, said that the date for the talks have not yet been finalised.

The ULFA was formed April 7, 1987, and in 1990 the organisation was banned by the government of India. Initially its demand was for a sovereign country but in 2010 the pro-talk faction led by Rajkhowa abandoned the demand.