The Assam Government on Wednesday announced a new policy for responding to underground groups sending feelers for holding talks or suggesting a ceasefire with the authorities. This includes a pre-condition that such groups would not collect ‘donations’ (read extortion of money) from anyone when the ceasefire is in force.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said members of groups coming for talks will have to remain strictly confined to designated camps apart from surrendering every piece of weapon that they possessed. Talks, if any, would be held directly and no discussion would be held through intermediary groups or persons.
“Our past experience has taught us to be as careful as possible. There have been incidents of rebel groups in ceasefire mode collecting donations and extorting money, while they also move around with arms and ammunition,” Gogoi said. The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), currently in ceasefire, in fact had even set up a gate alongside the inter-state check gate between Assam and West Bengal at Srirampur to collect ‘taxes’ from incoming trucks.
“We have also decided to do away with intermediaries for starting peace talks with any underground group. Most importantly, any kind of discussion that these rebel groups want to initiate, must be within the purview of the Indian Constitution,” Gogoi said.
The Chief Minister so made it clear that the Government would welcome any individual or group of militants who want to shun the path of violence and lead a peaceful life.
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