Guwahati, March 22 (IANS) The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Wednesday welcomed a peace conclave aimed at restoring the deadlocked talks between the rebel group and New Delhi.
The People's Committee for Peace Initiative (PCPI), a conglomerate of 27 influential organisations, including powerful student and rights groups, is holding a two-day meeting beginning Thursday in Guwahati to find ways to put the failed peace talks back on track.
"We hope the convention is able to help facilitate a political solution to the India-Assam conflict. We express our sincere wishes to all those participating in the meet," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said in a statement.
The ULFA, which has been fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, has in recent weeks offered to hold talks with New Delhi. There has been no response yet from the central government.
The peace process broke down in September after New Delhi called off a six-week ceasefire and resumed military operations, blaming the ULFA for stepping up violence and extortions.
There were three rounds of preliminary talks between the ULFA-chosen People's Consultative Group (PCG) and New Delhi, including one with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The talks failed after New Delhi sought a letter of commitment from the ULFA for holding talks if five of their jailed leaders were released. The ULFA refused to give the letter saying the group had already committed to direct talks.
"The idea of this conclave is to find ways and means to bring the deadlocked peace process back on the rails. We shall be adopting some resolutions and put them before the ULFA and the government for a positive response in the greater interest of Assam," PCPI chief convenor Dilip Patgiri told IANS.
"Everybody is seeking peace and an end to the conflict through political dialogue and it is our sincere attempt to break the impasse."
Among those participating in the conclave are rebel leaders of four separatist groups who are on a ceasefire mode with New Delhi now - the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), the Dima Halim Daoga (DHD), the United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and the Cobra Force.
"The suggestions of the leaders of these four groups would be crucial," Patgiri said. "We have invited leaders of all political parties to the meet."