Ulfa hits back at PC, loses key member in encounter

GUWAHATI: Even as a Ulfa cadre, suspected to be involved in Sunday’s twin blasts, was killed in an encounter in Chirang district of Lower Assam, the banned outfit has reacted strongly to Home Minister P Chidambaram’s comment in Parliament.

The minister had stated that the group was not interested in talks. Ulfa said the Centre was not interested in finding a permanent solution to the problem.

Ulfa said the home minister’s statement on sovereignty has proved that the Centre has no courage to sit for talks. The outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, in a statement to media houses, said: "Our stand is clear that Ulfa will not bow down before India for dialogue. We want a political solution to the issues."

He added: "If the Centre wants a military solution, they should make a statement in this regard in Parliament," he said.

Mr Chidambaram had made a statement in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday saying that the government's position on talks was clear and the militants have to give up violence, arms and their demand for sovereignty.

Meanwhile, security forces on Wednesday gunned down a Ulfa cadre in an encounter under Bijni police station. Police sources said the militant — Mohan Roy alias Mama alias Sukumar Kurmi — is believed to be the second-most important man of the Ulfa’s 709 Battalion after its Commander Hira Saraniya. The battalion is believed to be behind Sunday’s explosions.

Sources added that Roy was earlier arrested during the joint operation launched by Indian and Bhutanese forces in 2003.

Police recovered a 9mm pistol with ammunition and an extortion note demanding Rs 5 lakh from local MLA Kamal Singh Narzary from the militant.

A 28-member delegation of the Peoples Committee for Peace Initiative of Assam (PCPIA), now in New Delhi, has met the home minister.