In talks with govts, claims NLFT; DGP refuses to commment

The National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT), a banned tribal insurgent outfit, has claimed it is in talks with the Tripura and central governments to solve the state's problems.

The state director general of police (DGP) refused to comment on the claim saying the issue is "confidential", while the pricipal secretary of tribal welfare department said he was not aware of the government being engaged in any dialogue with the NLFT.

"We have recently concluded 4th round of tripartite talks in order to solve problems of the state. The NLFT is looking forward for a permanent solution," the outfit said in a statement on Sunday.

The NLFT was formed in 1989 and the central government banned it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 1997 and later under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). The objective of the NLFT is to establish an independent Twipra (Tripura) through an armed movement.

Asked about the purported tripartite talks, Tripura DGP Akhil Kumar Shukla declined to comment.

"These things are confidential. I will not comment. You have come to know (about the statement), I have also come to know," Shukla said.

Principal Secretary for Home, Kumar Alok, was not available for comments.

Tribal Welfare Principal Secretary L H Darlong said he was not aware of peace talks with the outfit.

"There was a peace talk with the insurgent outfits like NLFT three years back. The talks were held somewhere in Shillong and also in Delhi. A few insurgents surrendered after the peace talks but there was no response from them after that. I am not aware of any peace talk which is in progress with NLFT now," he said.

The NLFT statement also claimed that it has stopped collecting "subscriptions" but some people are collecting money in the name of the organisation.

"We appeal to all the people of the state not to give money to any one since we have not given any instruction in such a matter," self styled NLFT Information and Publicity Secretary D Khasmai said in the statement.

In September this year, NLFT allegedly issued extortion notices in three villages in Gandacherra sub- division bordering Bangladesh in Dhalai district.