No proposal now for talks with ULFA, NDFB factions: Kiren Rijiju

NEW DELHI: There is no proposal at present to hold talks with two Assam-based outfits - Paresh Barua-led ULFA or NDFB(S), as they have engaged in violent activities, government said today.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju emphasised that the government is open to talks with all insurgent groups which are "sincere" in their intention to give up arms and join the mainstream.

Responding to a specific query relating to some groups in the Northeast, Rijiju said there is no question of talks with National Democratic Front of Bodoland (S) as it was involved in an incident in December 2014 in which innocent people were killed.

Speaking about Paresh Barua-led faction of ULFA, he said there was no formal offer at present for talks with the group and also added that its members were engaging in violent activities which are "anti-national."

Rijiju said the government, however, is in "a very cooperative mood" to allow groups which want to shun violence.

He said that sometimes a group participates in the talks process but at the same time some of its members, through splinter groups, continue to indulge in undesirable activities.

He said the Centre and the Assam government have entered into suspension of operations agreements with certain insurgent groups of Assam, which include ULFA (Pro-Talk), NDFB (Progressive), NDFB(RD) and KLNLF.

In addition, the Assam government has entered into suspension of operations agreements with ACMA, BCF, KRA, UKDA, AANLA, STF, APA, KLO/KLA and HPC(D).

Rijiju was also asked whether the Centre was bringing down the number of districts classified as affected by Left Wing Extremism.

The Minister did not give any detail saying a decision in this regard has not yet been taken.

To a question related to Meghalaya, Rijiju said that AFSPA has been imposed on its border with Assam for upto 20 kilometres but added that the law has not been imposed in the Garo Hills.