Ulfa raps Assam, Centre on border issue

GUWAHATI: The Assam-Nagaland border row has drawn Ulfa's attention. The outfit has taken up the boundary issue. It has condemned the Assam government and the Centre for failing to take any steps regarding Nagaland's aggression in at least eight districts of Assam.

On the Union's proposal of giving safe passage to Ulfa leaders for holding talks, the outfit said in a statement: The government had assured the Ulfa that all issues will be discussed in the proposed talks. But it did not give any written promise. The statement added that this showed the government's insincerity in holding the talks.

Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said: Both Assam and the central government is aware that Nagaland has established four subdivisions Kohbu, Newland, Uriamghat and Hukai _ in eight districts of Assam. But they are yet to take any action regarding this.

The outfit lambasted political parties of Assam for failing to raise the boundary dispute issue.

On December 22, prime minister Manmohan Singh told Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi that if Ulfa was willing to come for talks, then the Centre would offer safe passage to its members.

The Ulfa chairman said: The Union government has also failed to find the whereabouts of the cadres of the outfit who had gone missing after the army operation in Bhutan in December 2003.

Ulfa alleged that the army and police extorted money in the name of Ulfa and harassed people in the name of anti-insurgency operations. The outfit hoped that the new year will be successful and will bring a peaceful solution to the political conflict between the Centre and Assam.